Calderdale Council undertook a public consultation which found that weir crossings along the Rochdale Canal in the upper Calder valley were not accessible for many people. Their rough, cobbled surface and camber combine to make them challenging for most people.
As a result of the consultation, Calderdale Council received funding from Active Travel England via the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to improve accessibility along the canal. The funding is being used to install accessible, step-free bridges at the weirs. The first bridge at the Luddendenfoot Weir has been completed (pictured above). The bridges are made from long lasting recycled plastic.
The team will move along the canal working weir by weir with all expected to be complete by March 2028. The canal will remain open while the work is ongoing. The approximate timeline is below:
- October 2026- Eastwood Weir
- March/April 2027- Stubbing Weir
- April/May 2027- Stoodley Weir
- May/June 2027- Shaw Wood Weir
- June/July 2027- Woodhouse Weir
- July/August 2027- Kilnhurst Weir