By Joe Locker, Local Democracy Reporter
Improvements are being made on a canal tow path in Nottingham to help prevent flooding.
The path running beside the Nottingham and Beeston Canal, near the Navigation Inn at Castle Lock, has become dangerous to pedestrians and cyclists because of the problem.
Money for the project will come from the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund.
Local authorities, including Nottingham City Council, were invited to apply for leftover funding from the pot for “quick win” projects on the basis they could be delivered by 2024.
The Labour-run council has managed to secure up to £106,000, which it will give to the Canal and River Trust to pay for the improvements.
Delegated decision documents say: “Several improvements have already been delivered to the Beeston Canal, with the most recent works to the tow path having been completed in early June.
“The proposed changes include delivery of a further phase of works near Castle Lock, a heavily used section of tow path for both walkers and cyclists, which has been identified the Canal and River Trust (CRT).
“Some of the wash walls are starting to fall which has meant the water overflows onto the tow path making it dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists.
“In undertaking these works it will help preserve and enhance the Canal, which
forms part of Nottingham’s strategic cycle network and is promoted as a leisure route for both walking and cycling under the banner of the Big Track.
“It is well used and popular asset for the city centre with the potential to grow use through future developments to the south of the city including the Island Quarter, Inland Revenue and Broad Marsh.”
Through the Transforming Cities Fund, the council has also secured millions of pounds for other improvements in the city, including new cycle infrastructure along Porchester Road and London Road.
The funding has been helping will the city council progress its plan to create an east-west cycle route that is almost completely segregated from traffic.
