A joint venture between the Canal & River Trust and the Bath & North East Somerset Council has resulted in the recently completed transformation of the canal towpath linking Bath and Bathampton.
The project was implemented by the Kier Group who engaged engineering contractors Greenford Ltd to conduct the towpath restoration works which commenced in March 2016 and were completed in July.
The vast improvements made by these restorative efforts are easy to see for those that regularly traverse this scenic route and involved the excavation, widening and resurfacing of the towpath as well as restoration of the soft landscaping either side of the path.
Not only were key stakeholders pleased with the end result, but the feedback received from local residents who live along this updated stretch of towpath has been overwhelmingly positive in regards to both the finished outcome and the works themselves.
Adrian Robinson is a local resident who lives alongside the canal and had a ring-side seat for the entirety of the works.
He said: “Living by the canal towpath, we have had the opportunity to witness Greenford’s activities throughout the entire towpath upgrade project, from the initial security arrangements to the final surface inspection.
“During this period, they have been very professional and aware of the needs of all the towpath stakeholders. The team have been very friendly and the standard of workmanship has surpassed our expectations.
“Greenford has delivered a very professional job and worked well alongside the local community in delivering it. They should be very proud of their achievement.
“It’s wonderful to witness so many people, especially those who may have struggled to use the towpath in the past, enjoy such a well-designed and professionally constructed facility”
Greenford have been completing civil engineering works for over 25 years and always seek to ensure the community local to their worksites are constantly considered and accommodated for.
Greenford Director Tom McDermott, who ran the project, said: “It is always gratifying to hear that the community local to our work sites are pleased with not only the outcome of the works but also the way the project is carried out day to day.
“We understand it can be inconvenient having construction so close to your property and always make sure we do as much as possible to make it easier on everyone involved.
“The feedback we have received from locals has been wonderful and we are so pleased residents and the public are already seeing the benefit of these works.”
The Bathampton canal towpath project was completed in July.
