The Beacon Message Board

Canal and River Trust will shortly be starting works to replace the existing steep steps between University Station and the towpath of the Worcester Birmingham Canal.

These works are part of the wider Birmingham Cycle Revolution project. The replacement will be a wider, shallower pitch set of steps with cycle wheeling channels.

There will be no access to and from the towpath at University Station between Thursday 18th August and Saturday 17th September 2016.

The towpath will be re-opened for one day on Saturday 10th September for the pre-arranged Canal Canter event.

Updates will be available on the Canal & River Trust's website.

UPDATE FROM THE WATERWAYS TRUST

I wanted to make you aware of some recent changes to the towpath closures related to the access works at University Station. The piling operations have proven to be hard-going, you may be aware that this is necessary to form the new waterway wall, ensuring there will be enough towpath width available for pedestrians and cyclists once the new (wider) steps have been installed. After a series of malfunctions and using several hammer-heads, the piling is now almost complete. Their reluctance to be driven into the canal bed can be blamed on either an under-sized piling rig, or more stern ground conditions than initially anticipated. Nevertheless a larger rig has been bought to site and this aspect is almost done. Unfortunately these delays have led to our re-assessing the towpath closures on site. The previous two closure periods have now been replaced by one consolidated closure, albeit with a much earlier re-opening date. The towpath between Bristol Rd Bridge and Somerset Rd Bridge will therefore be closed from now until 7th October. After this it is anticipated that the steps will be ready for re-use and the towpath re-opened, with just minor surfacing works to complete thereafter. I apologise for any inconvenience the changes may cause you but I’m sure you’ll agree the earlier re-opening date is a welcome revision. I’m looking to post updated signage on site tomorrow to reflect the changing dates.

Fell foul of this yesterday.

There was no signposted diversion or any notice before you came across it. Not really impressed. It would have been nice to have had at least some nice so I could have jumped off the canal earlier and not ended up so lost!

Hi
Is the towpath now fully open need to use it tomorrow 11th oct!??
Thanks

Think mid November is new proposed date

Towpath is now open but steps/new ramp to uni not yet


The Worcester & Birmingham canal towpath has reopened between Somerset Road and The Dingle, Selly Oak. The access point at University Station remains closed. Work to install the new steps at University is ongoing so please approach the site with caution and follow any instructions from the construction crew.

It's open and shallower steps with bike ramps open from 4.30 today

The new steps from the canal to the university are excellent, so much wider and easier to wheel a bike up and down with the two wheel ramps.