The towpath of the canal at Mirfield in West Yorkshire is to be upgraded thanks to the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU).

Working in partnership with Kirklees Council and the Canal & River Trust, plans have been released for upgrading the canal towpath between Shepley Bridge Marina and Station Road, and improving Mirfield Memorial Park.

The proposals are part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade’s ‘First and Last Mile’ programme for improving journeys to and from intermediate stations between Manchester and York.

Improvements to the Mirfield station area are currently in progress.

A public consultation for park and canal users, residents, and businesses about the latest plans runs until this Saturday, 31st August. Views can be submitted online by clicking here.

The improvements will see the canal towpath from Shepley Bridge Marina to Station Road upgraded to allow enhanced pedestrian use. An agreement has also been reached with Kirklees Council Highways to improve a crossing point on Lowlands Road for better access to the canal.

Plans and concept designs can be seen at a drop-in event being held today, Thursday, 29th August between 3 pm and 6 pm at Mirfield Memorial Ground.

Staff from Kirklees Council and the Canal & River Trust will be present to answer questions and receive comments.

Improvements to Mirfield Memorial Park include upgrading the play area, better accessibility to the park from Gill Bridge and Hurst Lane, new Petanque pistes, and renovating the steps of Parkfield Crescent.

Once the scheme is complete, residents and visitors will have vastly improved accessibility to Mirfield station and better natural spaces and facilities throughout the area.

“We are delighted Mirfield Memorial Park has secured funding from TRU’s First and Last Mile scheme. This will enable the council to improve various entrance points to the park, benefiting local residents. Upgrade works to the canal towpath, which runs next to the park, will also improve the access points between the park and canal. Together the works will provide improved accessibility to the park and towpath for residents, as well as enhancing an alternative ‘green’ route to the railway station for rail users.”

“This project is in addition to the funding secured for the play park as part of the Playable Spaces Scheme.”

Councillor Munir Ahmed, Kirklees Cabinet Member for Environment and Highways

“We know how popular this section of towpath is along the Calder & Hebble Navigation which is well used by the local community and among our canal users and we’re delighted that funding has been secured.”

Mark Robinson, Enterprise Manager at the Canal & River Trust