South Yorkshire mayor could be urged to fund repairs to Five Weirs Walk path in Sheffield after seven years
The Blue Loop was described as “so much more than just a path”
The mayor of South Yorkshire could be urged to fund the £1.3m repair of a historic Sheffield riverside path that has been closed for years.
Sheffield City Council said it had included the Five Weirs Walk on its shortlist for transport funding, set to be submitted to the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority.
A section of the walk has been closed for seven years due to a storm. The off-road route follows the River Don from the city centre to Meadowhall.
The long closure - and the recent closure of towpath on the Sheffield Tinsley canal - has sparked a campaign to fix it.
The Five Weirs Walk and the towpath together are known as the ‘Blue Loop’.
The first meeting of the ‘Fix the Blue Loop’ campaign was at Attercliffe Library café/bar.
It was attended by more than 40 people including cyclists, walkers, environmentalists, river stewards, politicians and local businesses.
Andrew Pembroke, an engineer at the Walking Wheeling and Cycling Trust, presented new proposals for the repair of FWW using large concrete ‘lego blocks’, estimated to cost £1.3m.
Simon Ogden, one of the founders of the Five Weirs Walk Trust in 1986, described the Blue Loop as “so much more than just a path.”
He recalled that opening up the River Don and Sheffield Canal corridors was a key feature in regeneration plans for the “devastated moonscape of the industrial East End.”
He added: “Moreover in the era of climate change it allows essential access for channel maintenance, as well as management of invasive species, he added.
“It also offers sporting and leisure opportunities and provides an attractive setting for business and housing, such as Attercliffe Waterside, 1,000 home eco-estate under construction off Attercliffe Road.”
Repairs to the canal towpath between Cadman and Bacon Lane Bridges were also discussed.
Mr Ogden added: “Whilst the deterioration was significant, the repair is more straightforward and is the clear statutory responsibility of the Canal and Rivers Trust.
“However the canal is so intrinsic to the major regeneration of Attercliffe Waterside that contributions from the Attercliffe Levelling Up fund, developer Citu and Homes England would all seem appropriate partners. A meeting with the Attercliffe Area Board will therefore be sought.”
Councillor Brian Holmshaw, chair of the communities, parks and leisure committee, attended the meeting and offered his political support to the FWW repair, a Sheffield City Council spokesperson said.
They added: “The route is an important strategic corridor for people and wildlife and hopefully the case will be successfully made to SYMCA so repairs can go ahead soon.
“The council recognises the value of the Five Weirs Walk and officers are keen to explore opportunities to improve access where possible.
“However, no formal decisions have been taken and any future proposals would need to be considered in light of funding, feasibility and other practical considerations.”