Market Weighton Canal Trail secures National Lottery Support.

Market Weighton Town Council has received a National Lottery Heritage Fund Grant of £44,500 towards the Market Weighton Canal Trail Project aimed at creating and enhancing the public right of way from Market Weighton Town centre to Weighton Lock on the Humber estuary. 

The Canal Trail project provides a North South link to the Trans-Pennine Trail and the Wolds Way and will highlight and inform walkers about the heritage and history of the land it passes through, whilst providing a post Covid healthy walking route in open countryside under big skies. All of which has been made possible through the support of National Lottery players.

The Project Steering Group comprises Town and Parish Councils along the route of the former canal, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Holme Heritage and Weighton Walkers are Welcome. Gateways to the trail will be located at Market Weighton, Newport and the Humber Lock at Broomfleet.  Funding for the project has also been provided by the East Riding of Yorkshire Council Commuted Sums, Sancton Windfarm Fund, the Trans-Pennine Trail and local business sponsorship.

The route between Market Weighton and the Humber encompasses iron age settlements, eighteenth century canal locks and a range of wildlife including kingfishers, swans and herons. Gathering both physical and oral history from local communities and recording the flora and fauna along the route will be important parts of the project.

Organisers plan to involve local schools in the project, produce printed and online media material as well as interpretive boards and information signs along the route of the canal. The Environment Agency and the Ouse and Humber Drainage Board support the project that will help inform the public about the important role that the Canal still plays in flood risk management.

As the project progresses there will be opportunities for volunteers to lead walks and activities and help with organising the project. If you are interested in getting involved then please contact the project manager, Dr. Gordon Shields on 07808 141743 or email consult@amtltd.com