Continuing with posts relating to our 25th Anniversary.
The Wendover Canal Trust’s Restoration project has been divided into three phases:
in the first, the Grand Union Canal from Bulbourne to Little Tring now has full navigation for narrowboats following restoration work and the complete rebuilding of the bridge at Little Tring.
The second phase, from Little Tring to Buckland Wharf, is currently underway. The stretch used to be almost impassable and is now being transformed into a watertight navigable canal with extensive biodiversity. By the end of this phase the whole canal will be in water for the first time in over 100 years.
Significantly, the entire length of the canal’s towpath will be made continuous in this phase which will enable year-round use for walkers, runners, cyclists and those whose mobility is impaired.
The water level will also be raised between Buckland and Wendover, enabling use by smaller craft such as rowing boats, canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and trail boats.
In parallel with restoration of the canal, WCT also campaigns for funding for towpath upgrades, and the first major project of these will take place early next year, starting at Wendover.
As well as canal restoration, volunteers have also undertaken much landscaping and planting to provide a ‘pocket park’ for general community benefit, including the planting of 1,500 trees and 1,000 daffodil bulbs and the sowing of wildflower seeds.
In the third phase, when the canal is restored via dredging to sufficient navigable depth, and three bridges have been raised, narrowboats will be able to reach Wendover.