GRAND UNION CANAL SOUTHALL TOWPATH IMPROVEMENTS FEASIBILITY STUDY

Have your say on these canalside focus areas:

Spikes Bridge Park Bankside Southall Recreation Ground Havelock Road Canalside Park Glade Lane Canalside Park and Norwood Top Lock

October 2020 Southall Canal Towpath Improvements – What do you think? developing plans We would like to hear your thoughts and suggestions on how we can improve these five Canal & River Trust (the Trust) is the charity who own and manage the Grand focus areas, so that we can develop the proposals Union Canal which runs through Southall. We believe that spending time by water to raise the funds to improve them. makes us happier and healthier. You might live or work in Southall, or you may use We want everyone in Southall to use and enjoy the benefits of the canal and its the canal towpaths for walking or cycling, or maybe towpaths. Working with and supported by Ealing Council and its Let’s Go Southall you live on board a canal boat – however you use, project we are currently doing some preliminary work to identify what actions are or would like to use, the canal and towpaths, we needed to improve the canal towpaths and accessibility to them in Southall. want to hear from you. You can give us your views by completing our short online questionnaire at Alongside the towpaths and access points themselves, we are at the early stages www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/southallhaveyoursay of exploring options to improve five focus areas along the canal and we would like to know what you think. With your input we will develop proposals and we hope to be able to seek funding to put them We are seeking your views on how to improve the canalside at the following areas: into place to make better canalside places for everyone in Southall. • Spikes Bridge Park • Bankside • Southall Recreation Ground • Havelock Road Canalside Park • Glade Lane Canalside Park and Norwood Top Lock

This document describes the details of the focus areas and more information on the project can be found on our website www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/southallhaveyoursay.

In partnership with:

2 King George’s Field

YEADING

BROOKSIDE River Brent’ Focus Area Spikes Bridge Park WEST MIDDLESEX GOLF CLUB

A312 HANWELL SOUTHALL Focus Area A4020 Bankside

Grand Union Canal Paddington Branch Focus Area Glade SOUTHALL Lane Canalside Park/ MINET Norwood Top Lock COUNTRY PARK Focus Area Havelock Road Canalside Park Focus Area HAYES & Southall Recreation HARLINGTON Ground

Canal Bull’s Bridge Water Courses Junction NORWOOD GREEN M4 Focus Area

M4 Grand Union Canal NORTH HYDE3 TRIM TRAILS AND LOOP ROUTES Walking FORMAL AND INFORMAL PLAY Outdoor gym Jogging stations

EXERCISE Cycling

Dog walking

How can we create more special canal places in Activities for all IMPROVE SIGNAGE & Southall? ages and INTERPRETATION abilities INVESTIGATE OPPORTUNITIES AND INNOVATIVE WAYS TO ENABLE: • Creating attractive and inviting spaces on and around the canal FOOD GROWING

• Linking the canal from nearby areas Edible planting • Improving the environment Community orchards • Providing opportunities to enjoy the canal and connect with the water and nature • Providing opportunities to connect with others and enjoy family time outdoors Directional • Provide nice places to wander, dwell, exercise signs and information • Link community culture and the canal boards

Family gatherings WILDLIFE Bat boxes ENHANCEMENTS SOCIALISE Bug hotels

Bird watching

Bird boxes Cultural, Art Volunteering and and Heritage social events Wildflower Rain-gardens events meadows

4 GRAND UNION CANAL SOUTHALL TOWPATH IMPROVEMENTS FEASIBILITY STUDY

SPIKES BRIDGE PARK

5 EXISTING SITUATION

• Well used and maintained sports facilities. • Limited interaction between the park and the canal. Southall Municipal Sports Ground • Limited visibility of the canal or the park. • Peaceful space on the canal. • Surrounded by green spaces. • Lack of well maintained signage.

Orchid Close Towpath Grand Union Canal Paddington Arm

Spikes Bridge Park

Not to Scale

6 VISION OPPORTUNITIES

A park that has stronger visual and physical connections to the canal. A canalside that • Open up key views between the park and the canal. is used for exercise, community activities, • Install new signage showing maps of the park and the and which has improved wildlife habitats and routes to other open spaces in the neighbourhood signage. and further along the canal. • Create areas along the canalside for natural play and keeping fit. • Create gardens that can be planned, planted and cared for by the community and volunteer groups. • Plant areas of wildflower meadow and orchard.

...what opportunities are most important to you? ?

7 Potential area for canalside Potential to create new Potential for prominent seating, community gardens / access points to the towpath access points orchard, and sculpture or art trail. towpath and improve/ manage planting

0 10 30 50

Southall Municipal Sports Ground

Spikes Bridge Park Inter-visibility Orchid Close Orchid

Create more views between the park and the canal, and make the towpath feel safer Potential area for outdoor by removal of some areas of Directional signs gym, trim trail and natural vegetation and maps i.e. wildlife ...what would you like play, plus space for information signs or community gardens and to see here? wildlife treasure hunt orchard ...if you could change Towpath Improved visibility Other pedestrian and one thing, what would cycle routes Potential formalised access point that be? Potential activity zone Additional directional signs Additional vegetation and/ or existing vegetation management 8 www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/southallhaveyoursay GRAND UNION CANAL SOUTHALL TOWPATH IMPROVEMENTS FEASIBILITY STUDY

BANKSIDE

9 EXISTING SITUATION

Bankside • The area is popular for boat mooring, especially in winter. • The recent improvements to the towpath surface have increased the through-flow of pedestrians and cyclists. • Bankside provides access to Blair Peach Primary School and the Hayes Bridge Allotments. Access to the canal • The area’s popularity for feeding swans has led to from Uxbridge Road problems with litter and rodents.

Uxbridge Road access

• Various community organisations working with Hayes Bridge Hayes the Trust and Ealing Council to clear litter, clearing Bankside vegetation and replanting the access point

• Ongoing anti-social behaviour issues Allotments Towpath • Mural due to be painted on north bridge abutment Uxbridge Road access Grand Union

(local artist) Uxbridge Rd Canal Swan feeding area

Not to Scale Beresford Rd

10 VISION OPPORTUNITIES

An attractive, accessible, safe and well-used • Swan feeding area is retained and clearing marked canalside that has a strong local identity and with better signage. increased sense of community ownership. A space • Improved pedestrian crossings over Bankside. that is used by all for social gathering, onward movement and community activity. • More areas of seating, which don’t affect those using the towpath. • Improvements to the existing canalside vegetation (such as growing space) that can be planned, planted and cared for by the community and volunteer groups. • Improvements to signage and information boards. • Mooring space for a community and/or commercial travel boat.

...what opportunities are most important to you? ?

11 Area for potential seating, bird feeding and community activity, alongside improvements to the the existing access points and better definition and separation Better definition of the bird feeding of the residents’ parking from the canalside area and new information boards Potential thinning of the existing vegetation to improve the sense of safety for users Improved pedestrian crossings over of the towpath near the bridge, Bankside (ensuring that users remain safe to enhance biodiversity and to when nearing the water’s edge) create areas for community managed growing space

Hayes Bridge

Bankside Uxbridge Rd

Directional signs and Create areas along the maps e.g. wildlife back of the towpath for Mooring site- ...what would you like information signs or seating and community potential for Consider wildlife treasure hunt managed growing space. commercial/ possibilities of to see here? community planting street boat trees to ‘break-up’ continuous car ...if you could change Towpath Improved visibility park line Other pedestrian and Potential formalised access one thing, what would cycle routes point Potential activity zone Additional directional signs that be? Additional vegetation and/ or existing vegetation management 12 www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/southallhaveyoursay GRAND UNION CANAL SOUTHALL TOWPATH IMPROVEMENTS FEASIBILITY STUDY

SOUTHALL RECREATION GROUND

13 EXISTING SITUATION

• Strong tree line along the edge of the Recreation Ground • Well maintained and used community facilities in the park including playground and outdoor gym. • Lack of a formal access between the Recreation Ground and towpath discourages connections between them. Southall Recreation • Narrow towpath with uneven surface, can be Ground muddy. • Visually evident anti-social behaviour along

towpath, such as littering and dog fouling Road Leamington • Poor existing vegetation management • Mooring currently discouraged by shallow canal depth alongside towpath • Limited or no directional signage • Potential safety issues on western side of North Hyde Lane Bridge due to informal crossing of road The Common Grand Union Canal and steep vegetated slope to reach towpath. Stratford Rd Towpath North Hyde Lane Bridge The Common

Not to Scale The Old Oak Tree

Existing site pictures 14 VISION OPPORTUNITIES • Improve connections between the Recreation Ground Connecting Southall Recreation Ground and canal and the canal by improving and increasing the edge to one integral space pedestrian crossings over The Common, or closing it to vehicles completely and integrating them as one space. • Thin undergrowth and improve planting to open up the canal and connect with the Recreation Ground • New edge to the Recreation Ground could be further activated with community gardens, wildflowers for interest and wellbeing, biodiversity and habitat improvements, bat boxes, bird boxes, bug hotels etc. • Possibility for split level paths with potential for segregated cycle path as well as waterfront structures to access and enjoy water • Segregated cycle path along line of current road • Areas along canal for seating and increased interaction with water. • More diverse habitat and enhanced links along canal and into Recreation Ground • Add safer crossing points at entrances to Recreation Ground

...what opportunities are most important to ? you?

15 Waterfront Potential to divert cyclists Potential reduction promenade with away from the towpath to of road width to space for improved create a more pedestrian accommodate cycle lane interaction with the focused canalside water, seating and community activity spaces. 0 10 30 50

Better directional Feasibility study underway to signage and explore possible towpath width information boards ...what would you like and surface improvements at key points along and improvements to access towpath to see here? points Potential thinning of the existing vegetation to ...if you could change improve the sense of safety for users of the Towpath one thing, what would Improved visibility towpath, and to create a Other pedestrian and Potential formalised access more naturalised canalside that be? cycle routes point with enhanced biodiversity Potential activity zone Additional directional signs (such as wildflower strips, Additional bird and bat boxes, bug vegetation and/ or existing vegetation hotels etc.) management 16 www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/southallhaveyoursay GRAND UNION CANAL SOUTHALL TOWPATH IMPROVEMENTS FEASIBILITY STUDY

HAVELOCK ROAD CANALSIDE PARK

17 EXISTING SITUATION • Narrow towpath width and poor condition of surfacing • Litter issues • Canal is too shallow to allow moorings • Little or no wayfinding • Limited number of connections/ access points between canal and nearby developments Willowbrook Road Havelock Road Area within Havelock Estate • Limited or no opportunities for seating/ resting/ Regeneration Scheme, Phase socialising 1 (substantially complete) Bixley Field • Encroaching canal-side vegetation • Open Havelock canoe club house/gym/café project will improve the access point to the towpath • Possible improvements to connection to green spaces at Bixley Field and Glade Lane Canalside Park

Grand Union Canal Towpath Playing Fields

Not to Scale

Havelock Regeneration, birds-eye view, Price and Myers, https://www.pricemyers.com/

Existing site pictures 18 VISION OPPORTUNITIES

An attractive, accessible, safe and well-used canalside that forms a key part of the area’s regeneration, and • Activated canalside edge. creates places that have strong local identity and • Improved mooring with opportunities for floating increased sense of community ownership. market, boat cafés etc. • Celebrate connections to the canal. • Create physical activity zones i.e. outdoor gym or informal areas for exercise. • Create community gardens, wildflower meadow, orchard. • Improvements to existing vegetation and biodiversity. • Connecting green spaces – wildlife trail/canoe trail/ heritage trail etc.

...what opportunities are most important to you? ?

19 Potential space for playground, Additional planting Additional directional outdoor gym, community and existing Planned location of canoe signage and gardens, orchard etc. vegetation club (Open Havelock information boards management, Project) at key access and enhancements points to ecology and

0 10 30 50 biodiversity

Area within Havelock Estate Regeneration Scheme, Phase 1 (substantially complete)

Havelock Rd

Feasibility study underway to Directional Improvements to explore possible towpath width signs and maps encourage additional and surface improvements and e.g. wildlife mooring. Potential for ...what would you like improvements to access points information cafe boat/ floating signs or wildlife Canalside with market/ promotion of to see here? treasure hunt integrated activity art/books/culture etc. zones for seating, resting and ...if you could change socialising one thing, what would Towpath Improved visibility Other pedestrian and that be? cycle routes Potential formalised access point Potential activity zone Additional directional signs Additional vegetation and/ or Area within Havelock Estate existing vegetation Regeneration Scheme management 20 www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/southallhaveyoursay GRAND UNION CANAL SOUTHALL TOWPATH IMPROVEMENTS FEASIBILITY STUDY

GLADE LANE CANALSIDE PARK and NORWOOD TOP LOCK

21 EXISTING SITUATION

Glade Lane Canalside Park Railway line

• A relatively quiet and tranquil reach of the canal Glade Lane Publicly accessible adjoining Glade Lane Canalside Park open space • Mixture of mature trees (some of which restrict and overhang the towpath), hedgerows and meadow Playground grassland along the canal edge, which sometimes Glade Lane Canalside Park prevents movement into the rest of the Park Norwood Top Lock (see next page) • Norwood Top Lock (see next page) and Three Bridges strongly define the west-east extents of the Towpath focus site. • Forms part of the valued and historic ‘Hanwell Flight’ of locks. • Poor visual connections between the Park and the canal. Windmill Lane • Narrow width and poor condition of some towpath surfacing

Grand Union Lock 90 Lock 91 Canal Bridge 205/ Three Bridges Aqueduct

Melbury Avenue Osterley Sports Club and Osterley Cricket Club Not to Scale

22 EXISTING SITUATION Norwood Top Lock Glade Lane Norwood Top Lock (inset from previous page) Steep path linking

McNair Road Baxter Close • Lock and immediate surroundings present valuable lockside and heritage asset to be respected and potentially towpath enhanced. Informal pedestrian Lock Keepers cottage crossing over (private ownership) • Unused building. Havelock Road Unused building • Lack of formal pedestrian crossing over Havelock Bin storage Road. Bus stop • Lack of suitable pedestrian access between towpath Havelock Road and east end of the lock.

G la • Unused open space in The Trust’s ownership to the d e west of the lock. L

a

n

• Unsightly bin store. e Grand Union • Discordant mix of surfacing. Canal Glade Lane • Open access to Havelock Road, with bus stop Bridge immediately adjacent. • Narrow width and poor condition of some surfacing. Towpath Barge Drive Steep ramp • Existing mooring west of the lock. Current publicly between lock to accessible open towpath space

Poplar Avenue

Not to Scale

23 VISION OPPORTUNITIES

Glade Lane Canalside Park Glade Lane Canalside Park: A canalside that retains its valued peaceful character, but • Improved surfacing, signage and visibility along the which has better physical and visual links with the rest of existing pathways between the canal and the Park. Park, a safer and more comfortable towpath, and which • Create additional paths that provide more encourages greater community ownership through the opportunities for recreational cycling and walking growing of food and the management of its habitats. away from the towpath, and which connect with routes through the park. Norwood Top Lock A community focal point with volunteering opportunities, • Provide areas for the community to grow food, such an outdoor cultural/activity space that is respectful of the as raised beds and community orchards - reflecting site’s heritage, and clear starting point for enjoyment of the previous use of parts of the Park. the Hanwell Flight. • Maintain the diversity of vegetation along the canal but carry out management to areas which restrict movement along the towpath or make it feel unsafe.

Norwood Top Lock • Potential new uses for the disused building, such as a cafe, a community room, or a volunteer station. • Space for a community garden with opportunities for food growing that can be planned, planted and cared for by the community and volunteer groups. • Celebrate heritage of the canal and buildings through information boards and a heritage trail. • New directional signage and information boards used to celebrate the Hanwell Flight, identify links to nearby green spaces, and promote wildlife trails and led walks. ...what opportunities are most important to ? you?

24 Potential for stronger integration Potential new of towpath into existing Glade Potential step-free recreational foot/cycle Lane ‘loop’ routes via creation access from lock to path away from towpath Existing informal of additional activity stops and towpath and a trim trail along it path focal points

Norwood Top Lock (see next page)

Feasibility study underway to explore possible towpath width and surface Directional signs and maps e.g. improvements and Potential for community space and wildlife information signs or wildlife improvements to food growing garden (raised beds treasure hunt. Existing entrance access points etc.) with volunteering and adoption points into the park improved with opportunities, marking the footprint of solid surfacing, bell-mouth corners, the old lock keepers cottage. Potential for community clearer lines of sight, better orchard to reflect previous use visibility into the park and signage of the land within part of the Park (with volunteering and adoption opportunities). Towpath Potential formalised access point Other pedestrian and cycle routes Additional directional signs Potential activity zone Potential step-free access from lock to towpath Additional vegetation and/ or Potential for improved access and new paths existing vegetation management 25 Additional planting and Potential for community Green Flag Pole existing vegetation Building (reconstructed or new) and garden, sensory garden, (approximate management, ecological and associated open space- potential focal wildflower meadow, location) biodiversity improvements point for various community uses volunteering opportunities etc.

Baxter Close Norwood Top Lock McNair Road (inset from previous page)

Potential step-free

Glade Lane access from lock to towpath

Havelock Road

Poplar Avenue

Canalside promenade with space for seating, Existing towpath community gatherings and improvements: widening, cultural events such as a New directional ...what would you like re-surfacing, creating sculpture or art trail signage and to see here? additional access points information boards at key areas and arrival points into the space ...if you could change Towpath Improved visibility one thing, what would Other pedestrian and cycle routes Potential formalised access point that be? Potential activity zone Additional directional signs Additional vegetation and/ or Potential step-free access existing vegetation management from lock to towpath 26 www.canalrivertrust.org.uk/southallhaveyoursay