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West Yorkshire Probation Community Payback Delivers Canalside Benefits

A 1km stretch of towpath along the Aire & Calder Navigation near Stanley Ferry has just reached completion thanks to Community Payback teams from West Yorkshire Probation.

Between October 2010 and May 2011 a new towpath has been installed between Stanley Ferry and Birkwood Lock creating an improved multi-user facility for walkers and cyclists, as well as improving disabled access to the area near to British Waterway’s Stanley Ferry lock gate making workshop.

In total, over 1,000 unpaid work days have been recorded by the group and a further 2km is planned in for the next section of towpath refurbishment between Kings Road Lock working towards Fairies Hill Marina.

The work undertaken by Community Payback teams has provide a welcome boost to the year-round work carried out by British Waterways who spend over £100m directly on maintaining the nation’s waterways each year.

Claire McDonald?, volunteer leader for British Waterways north east, said: “The work the probation teams have done so far is fantastic and a great improvement for users of the canal so a big thank you must go to them. There’s a real sense of achievement in the difference a group can make in a short period of time and this scheme has been testament to that.

“We’re trying to encourage local communities all around Yorkshire’s waterways to get involved in their local environment in order to help give those ‘added extras’ that in the current financial climate, are difficult for us to achieve. I’d encourage anyone with a passion for their waterway to get in touch as we have many interesting volunteering opportunities available that can really make a difference and help transform local stretches of waterway.”

Mandy Walker, Community Payback Manager for West Yorkshire Probation added: “Offenders have worked hard in all weathers digging out and laying this lengthy new footpath and welcome the challenge of completing more of this demanding work. They have developed new practical and life skills which will help with their future work plans of keeping out of trouble and leading a more positive and productive lifestyle away from offending.

“Community Payback staff work in partnership with others, using those subject to unpaid work hours, sentenced by courts to make a real difference to local communities, making areas safer, cleaner and a greener place for us all to live. We welcome suggestions for new projects in any part of West Yorkshire – email suggestions to: communitypayback@westyorksprobation.org.uk or call us on 01924 885300.”

British Waterways has also successfully introduced a new ‘Waterway Adoption’ programme ahead of its move to becoming a new waterways charity in 2012, with the first one in Yorkshire launched last month on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

Claire continues: “Local businesses and groups can now adopt a 1-2 mile stretch of waterway neighboring their property or within their local area. We hope by giving local communities a bigger say in the running of their local canal or river they’ll feel an increased sense of ownership and will help safeguard them for future generations to enjoy.”

To find out more information, contact Claire McDonald?, British Waterways’ North East volunteer coordinator on 0113 281 6800 or email claire.mcdonald@britishwaterways.co.uk or visit British Waterways’ dedicated volunteering page at: www.waterscape.com/volunteer.