Celebrity guest opens newly upgraded Wendover canal towpath

Celebrity guest opens newly upgraded Wendover canal towpath

The upgraded Wendover canal towpath officially opened on Friday, 28 June, with a ribbon cutting ceremony and a host of community activities.

Many local residents turned out to celebrate, from paddleboarders to cyclists, dog walkers to school children. Canal Boat Diaries’ Robbie Cumming cut the ribbon and then joined Chilterns CEO Dr Elaine King for a walk along the new path.

Throughout the day over 200 students from John Colet school walked along the towpath, and primary school children from Wendover C of E Junior School enjoyed a teddy bear’s picnic. Walnut Tree Meadow, adjacent to the towpath, was a hive of activity, with Cracklewick Morris Dancers entertaining the crowd among the numerous information stands.

The 1.7 mile stretch of upgraded path between Wendover and Halton is wider and now suitable for wheelchairs, mobility scooters, bicycles and pushchairs; making it accessible for all.

The £750,000 project was spearheaded by Wendover Canal Trust, funded by contributions from Chilterns National Landscape, Wendover Parish Council, Wendover and Villages Community Board, the Lionel Abel-Smith Trust and Halton Parish Council, and supported by the Canal and River Trust.

Wendover Canal Trust hopes to continue upgrading the towpath until the entire seven-mile stretch of canal is completed.

A woman and a man walk on a footpath alongside a canal.

Related news

Changes to National Planning Policy

The Government has published a new National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) which plays a key role in shaping decisions on local plans and planning applications.

Wheels in motion for accessible Chilterns adventures

New funded trishaws enable older adults and people with limited mobility to experience the freedom and joy of exploring the Chilterns by bike.

13km of power lines disappear from the Chilterns National Landscape in a major undergrounding project

The Chilterns National Landscape is thrilled to welcome the completion of a £2 million project to remove over 13 km of overhead electricity lines from the Chess Valley area.

Outstanding Chilterns Magazine

Jam-packed with news and updates from the Chilterns National Landscape, now available to read online or find out where to get a printed copy.

Accessible Chilterns

Everyone should be able to have access to and benefit from the wonders of the Chilterns countryside. Find your accessible Chilterns here.