Campaign to save Sheffield's Blue Loop path launched as authorities 'turn their back' on it
“This meeting aims to bring together all those who value this beautiful and useful nine-mile waterside network”
Fans of Sheffield’s most famous path are mobilising to save it.
Campaigners are concerned that public authorities have ‘turned their backs on the well-used and loved Blue Loop’.
And they have called a public meeting to discuss ‘practical and immediate’ ideas for political action, repair and funding.
The Blue Loop is a combination of the Five Weirs Walk, which runs along the River Don from the city centre to Meadowhall, and the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal towpath which completes the loop back again.
The nine-mile route is unique in Sheffield thanks to its mix of history, industry and nature, complete with information boards, walkways and decorative archways.
But it is currently closed in two places and part-closed in another.
Simon Ogden, secretary of the Five Weirs Walk Trust 1986-2006, said: “Just as Attercliffe is poised to become a regenerated business and residential community with a focus on sport, and active travel is a government priority, our public authorities seem to have turned their backs on this well-used and loved ‘Blue Loop’ of river and canal trails.
“But the public and the communities and businesses along its route have not and there are solutions.
“This meeting aims to bring together all those who value this beautiful and useful nine-mile waterside network for active travel, recreation and stewardship and to look at practical and immediate ideas for political action, repair and funding.”
The meeting is at 6pm on Wednesday, July 1 at the The Library Café Bar, 10 Leeds Road, Attercliffe S9 3TY.
Mr Ogden says the Blue Loop’s problems are:
- The Washford Bridge to East Coast section of the Five Weirs Walk (Thessco) has been closed for seven years after a flood
- The Wicker section is part closed and “neglected for at least three years”
- The canal towpath is closed apparently indefinitely from Bacon Lane Bridge to Cadman Bridge
Sheffield City Council is working with the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust - formerly Sustrans.
In April, the trust said: “We’ve worked with Sheffield City Council to develop a proposed solution, that meets requirements set by the Environment Agency, for repairing the damaged section of Five Weirs Walk.
“While this is positive progress towards reopening the route, further design work, approvals and funding are still required before construction can begin. As a result, start and completion dates have not yet been confirmed.
“Five Weirs Walk forms an important part of National Cycle Network Route 6 and the Trans Pennine Trail, and is well-loved by the community and we support efforts to reopen it as soon as possible.
“It will supplement the Attercliffe Active Travel scheme (currently in construction by the Council) to provide choice for getting around actively in the local area.”