Residents and commuters in Mirfield, West Yorkshire, are benefiting from a resurfaced towpath and upgraded footpath, offering a greener, easier, safer and more accessible route to the town’s train station.
The recent official opening marked the fourth completed First and Last Mile project delivered by the Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU), Kirklees Council and the Canal & River Trust, part of a wider initiative to improve active travel connections to and from railway stations along the Transpennine Route.
The project has delivered several enhancements for the community and canal users, including 1.2km of upgraded towpath between Station Road, Mirfield and Shepley Marina which now provides a robust, all-weather surface suitable for walkers and wheelers. Alongside the surface upgrade, historic features of the canal, such as cobbled areas and canal banks, have been restored.
A new bench has been installed, and CRT volunteers have enhanced the flower garden to create a more inviting space. A new route from Mirfield Station through the town’s memorial park includes new steps to replace a previously muddy slope, additional paths within the park, and an improved exit onto Parkfield Crescent, complete with handrails. And Kirklees Council has enhanced the park further by upgrading the play area and extending the pétanque courts.
These enhancements create a safer, more enjoyable walking route for passengers travelling to and from Mirfield station, which is currently being upgraded.
Coun Moses Crook, deputy leader of Kirklees Council and cabinet member for Housing and Transport, said: “Access between the park and canal towpath has been greatly improved, and alongside the revitalised paths this offers residents a safe, green and welcoming route to Mirfield Station. Thanks to the multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade, it won’t be long until travellers can use this new route to catch faster, greener, and more frequent trains.
“We are also celebrating the new play park in Mirfield Memorial Ground, which the council has updated alongside the footpath works as part of the Playable Spaces Programme.”
|living in Mirfield,” said Kim Leadbeater MP, who officially opened the new route and performed a ribbon-cutting ceremony. “These improvements not only help people make greener travel choices but also enhance the local space and make the area more accessible for everyone.”
The ceremonial event began at Mirfield Station, followed by a short walk along the upgraded towpath to the memorial garden, where community groups and residents enjoyed refreshments and heard from partners involved in the project.
Sean McGinley, regional director for the Canal & River Trust, said: “These towpath improvements have made a real difference for the community, giving more people the opportunity to enjoy their canal.
“As a charity caring for 2000 miles of canals and rivers, we are incredibly grateful to work in partnership on projects like this to improve our waterside routes and protect our 200-year-old canal network.”
Rachel Blake, sponsor for TRU, added: “This is a brilliant example of how we are working in partnership to deliver more than just a railway upgrade. By supporting local authorities and community partners, TRU is helping to create lasting benefits for people living near the route.”
The Transpennine Route Upgrade is a multi-billion-pound railway programme that will transform journeys in the north, better connecting towns and cities like Manchester, Huddersfield, Leeds and York. Key milestones of the scheme to date include electric train services now running between Manchester and Stalybridge, a new station at Morely, a £100 million upgrade of diversionary routes completed ahead of major works across the Transpennine Route, and the upgrade of Hope Valley line.
