Latest News

Towpath Improvements

We are delighted to announce that the Community Campaign we launched via social media back in December has helped to move the Towpath Trail forward in the northern section. 157,000 people watched our short films and 99% of comments were in favour of improvements. Our followers also significantly increased to 5,630 across our three @lancastercanaltowpathtrail social media platforms. 

As a result, we have secured approval to start the design stage for surface improvements between Kendal and Wellheads Lane near Stainton. As part of the design process, the Public Rights of Way team have met with landowners to discuss individual needs. Landowner’s support and positivity has been much appreciated and matches the enthusiasm demonstrated by our campaign supporters. Enabling access to this rural part of the Towpath Trail for disabled people is a gift landowners, community members and partners are getting closer to giving – thanks to everyone for their support to date.  

In addition to surface improvements, the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership is keen ‘dress’ the Towpath Trail via better signage and public realm, additional rest stops and interesting interpretation. A new ‘Ice House’ interpretation panel is soon to be installed near Natland Road in Kendal thanks to funding from Westmorland & Furness Council. Two new benches are also planned near Stainton to help provide timely rest points for walkers and new signage is being fabricated to better highlight the entrance to Hincaster Tunnel and The Dairy Shed at Natland.  

Hincaster Tunnel 

Following a successful presentation to senior members of Canal & River Trust at Ellesmere Port, a dedicated partnership working group has been created to guide the required next steps. The group is keen to explore a third design option which would test the feasibility of extending the Roman Road access solution to Wellheads Lane, enabling continuous access from the lane through the tunnel.

At present, the entrance from Wellheads Lane to Hincaster tunnel does not meet access standards. Addressing both the entry and tunnel access challenges in a single improvement project is a logical aspiration.   However, before progressing the ‘third design’ option, Canal & River Trust have requested that a full ecological survey of the area is completed to green light the initiative and highlight mitigation and habitat creation measures.

Our shared goal is that the area will be enhanced from both an accessibility and ecological perspective at the end of the proposed improvements.  LCRP will commission an Ecologist to conduct a year long survey, starting this Spring thanks to funding from Westmorland & Furness Council.  

Disability Awareness

The Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership recently received disability awareness training at Bendrigg near Old Hutton. Bendrigg is a registered charity who make adventure accessible by working together to overcome barriers and transform lives. Bendrigg provide residential activity breaks for people of any age or ability at their centre where they regularly make the “impossible” possible! 

In addition to providing residential breaks, Bendrigg also provide training, research and consultancy in disability awareness, accessibility and inclusion to the outdoor and tourism sectors though the ‘Beyond Bendrigg’ programme which shares knowledge, expertise and skills to help others become more inclusive. The training explored the multiple challenges facing disabled people and how our awareness of barriers, language choices and our ability to challenge can create a positive difference. We learnt that the phrase ‘people using wheelchairs’ was no longer appropriate because it suggests there is a choice about using a wheelchair. Instead, recognising the disabled identity first via the phrase ‘disabled people’ places the onus of required change on society – not the disabled individual – to create equity via awareness and structural changes (such as an accessible Towpath Trail!).

We have provided additional information on the ‘Access It‘ page of our website to help highlight which sections of the Towpath Trail are currently accessible.

Read more and explore the Bendrigg training options for yourself and/or your organisation here – we highly recommend! 

Partnership Updates

Everything the Lancaster Canal Regeneration Partnership has achieved to date is a joint effort, often thanks to the winning combination of the public, charitable and private sector working together.  Funding has been made possible thanks to the continuous commitment of Westmorland & Furness Council, contributions from Lancaster Canal Trust and legacy funding managed by the Inland Waterways Association.   

 LCRP were delighted to see that Kendal Futures, a public/private regeneration partnership tasked with improving Kendal, have included the partial restoration of Canal Head in their recent ‘Call for Sites’ feasibility study. The partial re-watering of the canal would provide a sustainable drainage system for new housing developments in the area. Read more here. LCRP Directors have written a letter of support to encourage this type of sustainable development and welcome the opportunity to provide further support going forwards.    Story Homes are preparing a planning application for a up to 450 new homes between Natland and Burton Road in Kendal, read more here.

Story Homes have acquired land that includes the former canal. Unfortunately, due to contamination issues, partial rewatering to provide a sustainable drainage system for the new estate is not viable, however a Biodiversity Net Gain area is possible. LCRP are working with Story Homes to potentially secure a funding contribution to help increase the visibility of the Towpath Trail entrance in this area.  

Marketing Lancashire are supporting the visibility of the Towpath Trail initiative within Lancashire via a ‘Spotlight’ feature in their quarterly newsletter and via their corporate website. The regeneration partnership are keen to secure funding for the Lancashire section between Burton-in-Kendal and Carnforth to extend the length of accessible towpath and bring the proven benefits of improvements to Lancashire. The partnership has also welcomed Councillor representation from Lancashire Country Council and Regeneration Officer support from Lancaster City Council to further support the aspiration to extend improvements.   

Events on the Towpath!

Kendal Rotary are hosting a special ‘Walk for Peace’ on the 3rd of May on the Towpath Trail. The walk will celebrate kindness, friendship and community together.  

The walk is open for all  – including older people, children, friends, schools and community groups. If you can manage a short stroll or a longer adventure, you are warmly invited to take part by choosing a suitable walk option; 

Option 1🌿The Kendal Community Walk (Circular Walk)
Starting from Kirkbie Kendal School at 1,30pm, this scenic route follows the Towpath Trail, continues down to the river into Sedgwick, and returns via the former towpath to the School.

Option 2🌿The Towpath Trail Walk (Linear Walk)
Setting out from Holme Church at 10am and heading north towards Kendal via the Towpath Trail route. 

🤝 Why Take Part?
• Stand together for peace, respect and friendship
• Spend quality time outdoors together
• Enjoy the beauty of our countryside
• Support the vision of the Towpath Trail Kendal Rotary have kindly included a donation option for participants to support the Towpath Trail initiative and we are, naturally, encouraging people to sign up! Please follow this link to register!

Let’s walk side by side and show that our community stands strong for peace. 

Thank you for reading our Spring Update!

We are always open to any questions, comments or concerns – please get in touch via [email protected]