£2.1m funding to improve East Lancashire canal towpaths

The funding will support upgrades along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal between Whitebirk, Rishton and Accrington, benefiting pedestrians, cyclists and wheelchair users.

Upgrades will form part of a continuous off-road connection between communities in the area.

Councillor Warren Goldsworthy, cabinet member for highways and transport at Lancashire County Council, said: "The Active Travel programme will improve connectivity and transport choice and support civic pride by improving the quality, accessibility and appearance of routes that connect Lancashire's communities, towns and centres and local destinations.

"Investment in Lancashire's walking, wheeling and cycling network will deliver substantial benefits to our residents, improving access to jobs and services, supporting economic growth and creating safer, greener and healthier communities."

The improvements were approved on October 1, with Lancashire County Council’s cabinet agreeing to add the ringfenced Active Travel funding to its capital programme and enter into delivery agreements with the Canal and River Trust.

Funding is hoped to accelerate delivery and maximise value for money through co-ordination with related work being carried out by Blackburn with Darwen Council. 

The scheme is part of Lancashire County Council’s wider Active Travel programme, aimed at improving connections between communities and encouraging more people to choose active travel for short journeys.

The Active Travel funding was allocated to the county council from the Lancashire Combined County Authority, with funding already supporting improvements to routes across Lancashire and encouraging more walking, wheeling and cycling for everyday journeys.

The work will help to accelerate delivery and maximise value for money through co-ordination with related work being carried out by Blackburn with Darwen Council.