Major improvements have been made to the canal towpath at Wolverhampton's Smestow Valley Local Nature Reserve, offering better access for all visitors.
The improvements, commissioned by City of Wolverhampton Council, have been made to the main section of the path which runs from Tettenhall Old Bridge to Compton Bridge.
The project forms part of wider improvement and enhancement works planned at Smestow Valley and has been funded by £200,000 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
A team from Canal & River Trust, along with corporate volunteers from the Environment Agency, Storey, Midland Metro Alliance and Kier, removed overgrowing vegetation from the path, scraped away excess mud and leaves, levelled uneven surfaces and installed drainage.
The Trust has worked to improve the stability of the canal banks by installing coir rolls. This aims to encourage the growth of aquatic plants and vegetation, encouraging a variety of wildlife including water voles which are a rare and protected species.
Finally, the towpath has been resurfaced to match other paths throughout the nature reserve and is now open for visitors to enjoy.
The improvements to the towpath will prepare the way for a wider project to improve, promote and protect the wildlife, heritage and natural beauty of Smestow Valley, following a successful bid for development phase funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Smestow Valley and rail network is a 4.5km long site, which forms part of the Black Country UNESCO Global Geopark and has a rich history dating back to Anglo-Saxon times. It provides visitors with opportunities for healthy activities including walking, cycling and boating.