Todmorden Canal Action Group

07/06/2026

📢 NEW….TOWPATH IMPROVEMENTS…potentially to Rochdale border

As others may have seen, Calderdale Council and Canal & River Trust held a consultation event this week where they displayed the plans for the resurfacing of the towpath from Todmorden to Walsden: https://bit.ly/4xeQkpe

✍️ Feedback can still be provided, by completing the online survey by 23rd June - click on link above. Some additional information from the event:

1️⃣ Towpath will NOT be closed during the works, starting in July.

2️⃣ Initial plans for towpath improvements from Walsden to Warland

🎉 Calderdale Council have been successful in obtaining development funding and have produced concept plans for the resurfacing of the 1.3 mile stretch of the towpath from Walsden to Warland, which could not be funded by the current scheme. If completed, this would ensure the Rochdale Canal towpath throughout West Yorkshire would be fully accessible for the first time, including bridges over all the towpath weirs (first ones from Luddenham Foot are to be installed soon).

Completion of initial planning means there is sufficient evidence for a funding application but it could take a few years for the last phases of towpath improvements to start, if any funding application is successful.

This may be disappointing to many due to the towpath condition, but completion of the resurfacing of the Rochdale Canal towpath within West Yorkshire is within sight - it is no longer just an aspiration.

03/06/2026

🚶‍♂️TODAY: Have your Say on Towpath Improvements…….

Have your say on our proposal to deliver towpaths improvements across the region.

24/05/2026

🔍 TOWPATH IMPROVEMENTS….. View Proposals

Canal & River Trust have published details of towpath improvements on 1.6 miles of the canal between Todmorden and Walsden, starting in Spring 2026 and finishing next year. The proposals will be available to view on their website and in Todmorden:

📍Todmorden Library
📆 3rd June 2026, between 2pm and 6pm

The Canal & River Trust want your views on these proposals. Deadline for comments is 23rd June.

For more information:
https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/yorkshire-and-north-east/todmorden-to-birks-lane-consultation?fbclid=IwdGRleAR30mRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR6pnuhYdzQiTUsm3d_KUyXC1IEcPxbxmouK6_tlBSNO0NzCILhV1BA9Co6y9w_aem_KHJpSOd4zWAKurKK9eJ6Mw&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e232_tv2_tp1_a1demo0jra9e8x

23/05/2026

📺 Canal Boat Diaries: Todmorden

In a new TV series, Robbie Cu***ng travels down the Rochdale Canal and showcases Todmorden..….

https://u.co.uk/shows/canal-boat-diaries/watch-online/6394379063112

Robbie takes a detour to investigate a local UFO legend in Todmorden.

18/05/2026

🎉Towpath Improvements…..Have your Say ❓

Canal & River Trust have published proposals for canal towpath improvements between Todmorden and Walsden, starting in Spring 2026 and finishing next year:

1️⃣ Phase 1: Todmorden to Hollins Road……completion in Summer 2026
2️⃣ Phase 2: Hollins Road to Birks Lane (St Peter’s Church)…..starting in 2027
3️⃣ Towpath to be robustly resurfaced with cobbles relayed, and tar, spray and chip finish elsewhere (see second photo)
4️⃣ Towpath to be widened to between 2 to 2.5 metres, where possible, allowing cycling and walking.
5️⃣ Repair/rebuild of canal walls, where they impact the towpath

The third photo shows an example of the proposed changes, between Todmorden and towards Walsden.

📆 In addition, the press release provides further details of the proposals, including your opportunity to provide feedback and influence changes, for both phases. The deadline for comments is 23rd June.

For more information:

https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/where-we-work/yorkshire-and-north-east/todmorden-to-birks-lane-consultation?fbclid=IwdGRleAR30mRleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZA8xNzM4NDc2NDI2NzAzNzAAAR6pnuhYdzQiTUsm3d_KUyXC1IEcPxbxmouK6_tlBSNO0NzCILhV1BA9Co6y9w_aem_KHJpSOd4zWAKurKK9eJ6Mw&utm_id=97758_v0_s00_e232_tv2_tp1_a1demo0jra9e8x

17/05/2026

👏CELEBRATING OUR MUSICAL LEGENDS..…Keith Emerson

We recently reported on the opening of the park bandstand, where many of the famous artists born in Todmorden were recognised, including Keith Emerson. Recently, a new tribute has been installed at the canal to mark Keith Emerson’s birthplace.

🎹 Keith Emerson, co-founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP) was born in a now demolished terrace next to Woodhouse Mill on the Rochdale Canal. The new birthplace marker stone is opposite the mill, next to the canal bridge. It can be accessed from the canal via steps up to the bridge from the direction of Hebden Bridge.

Keith Emerson was a pioneering figure in progressive rock from the 1970s and is widely regarded as one of the most influential keyboardists in rock history, with ELP selling an estimated 48 million records.

🌼 In addition to this new commemoration, members of the ELP Appreciation Group have funded daffodil planters on the canal to mark Keith’s birthplace as they were his favourite flower, together with an information board about Keith Emerson that can be seen from the opposite towpath.

19/04/2026

🥳 Graffiti to be removed on Canal Bridge

You may have noticed a significant amount of tagging graffiti on the road bridge that goes over the canal at lock 19, by the Golden Lion pub.

Councillor Diana Tremayne was contacted about removal and informed us that Calderdale Council are considering how this can be removed as the bridge is a heritage asset in the town, and part of a key view down the Rochdale Canal in Todmorden.

Apparently, the council are looking at different options for removal, to ensure safety. It may take some time to agree the way forward and arrange removal but an update will be provided when received.

22/03/2026

👏CELEBRATING OUR MUSICAL LEGENDS..…from the canal to the park

Some may be wondering why planters full of daffodils have been installed on the canalside by Woodhouse Mill (down from lock 17), opposite Mitsubishi Chemicals.

🎹 Keith Emerson, co-founder of Emerson, Lake & Palmer (ELP) was born in a now demolished terrace behind these planters - daffodils were his favourite flower.

Keith Emerson was a pioneering figure in progressive rock from the 1970s and is widely regarded as one of the most influential keyboardists in rock history, with ELP selling an estimated 48 million records. The ELP Appreciation Group have led on installation of the planters to mark Keith’s birthplace, together with an information board about Keith Emerson that can be seen from the opposite towpath.

🎷 Todmorden has other notable artists that were born and brought up in the town, who started out with Todmorden Orchestra.

Geoff Love was a popular band leader, musical arranger and composer, famous for his orchestra and recordings: bit.ly/geoff-love. John Helliwell is a saxophonist, and was a member of Supertramp from the 1970s, a rock group who had significant international success, selling over 60 million albums: https://bit.ly/john_helliwell

🎉 As many know, Todmorden Bandstand in Centre Vale Park is being relaunched today, following a refurbishment funded by Todmorden Town Deal and National Heritage Lottery Fund.

The relaunch of the bandstand celebrates our musical present and our heritage. The concert programme includes a concert at 1:20pm by Calderdale Fantasy Orchestra that includes tributes to Keith Emerson, Geoff Love, and a special appearance by John Helliwell on stage: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Av4Jv8pdV/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Further details of the the bandstand relaunch are here: https://www.facebook.com/share/1D2YawDN5c/?mibextid=wwXIfr

21/03/2026

📋 YOUR VIEWS ON TOWPATH…help Calderdale Council

The full stretch of towpath on the Rochdale canal in Calderdale will soon be fully accessible for the first time, as work begins to install bridge decks along

11/03/2026

🥳 Towpath Improvements begin….

Calderdale Council has announced today that preparatory works to install bridge weir decks will start on Monday 16 March.

There are 7 canal overflow weirs on the 8 miles between Luddendenfoot and Todmorden, where towpath access is via a wooden plank, or on cobbles that are often waterlogged.

Preparatory work will be undertaken to clear vegetation and re-lay cobbles, to allow the deck boards to be installed safely.

The 1.5m wide bridge decks over the weirs will be installed in two phases:

1️⃣ Luddendenfoot weir and Stubbing weir in Hebden Bridge.

2️⃣ Kilnhurst weir and weirs at Woodhouse, Shaw Wood, Eastwood and Stoodley.

Please click for the press release, that provides further details: https://news.calderdale.gov.uk/work-to-begin-on-canal-side-improvements/