A STRETCH of canal embankment in Burnley which previously housed a rope factory, has been transformed into an £85,000 community garden.

The Ropewalk Community Garden on Burnley embankment, which opened on Sat-urday, has been designed as a place for residents and visitors to slow down, relax and enjoy the Leeds and Liverpool Canal.

The area has been transformed with boundary walls repaired and a disabled access ramp, new steps built and picnic tables and benches bought so people can take in the views. Bespoke railings and de-corative planting have been put in place to try and make space more attractive for visitors.

Work to create the garden was carried out by local residents Veolia volunteers and Canal & River Trust staff who carried out tidy-ups and planting workshops.

£85,000 of funding for the garden was raised through grants from BIG Lottery Community Spaces, The Veolia Environmental Trust through the Landfill Comm-unities Fund and Lancashire County Council. Burnley embankment, also known locally as ‘the Straight Mile’, widely regarded as one of the ‘seven wonders’ of the British Waterway System.

The embankment carries The Leeds and Liverpool Canal 60ft above the town and is still regarded as an innovative solution.

The Ropewalk garden is next to the Canalside Comm-unity Centre on Lindsay Street, and will be tended by volunteers from the centre and Burnley Borough Council.

Brenda Rochester from Canalside Community Ass-ociation said: “Burnley Embankment is one of the iconic sights of the British canals and brought the Industrial Revolution to Burnley.

“The Ropewalk Comm-unity Garden has transformed an underused stretch of grassland into a great space for locals to enjoy, as well as benefitting passing boaters and walkers who want to stop for a picnic lunch.”