Petition handed over for Rotherham canal path to reopen

Canal boat owner and dweller, Marilyn Orvis, is seen at what should be the start of the canal towpath, from opposite the railway station to Parkgate. She is complaing that the owners of the old Wharf building, on Bridge St., have effectively shut off a section of the path that runs through their property.

A HOUSEBOAT owner handed in a petition of 177 signatures calling for a stretch of canalside footpath to be reopened.

A route along Rotherham Canal was blocked at an entrance opposite Rotherham Central railway station by a property owner last year and legal proceedings to reopen it have begun.

Frustrated Marilyn Orvis said: “It took me four days to get 177 signatures on the petition to open the canalside.

“It’s been open for hundreds of years and then one person who’s bought property and rebuilt it, took it on himself that he wanted to close the footpath.”

Marilyn presented her petition in the chamber during last week’s (22) Rotherham Borough Council meeting.

She said the towpath was now blocked with a gate and there was barbed wire and signs saying “beware of the dogs”.

“I don’t think it’s fair for Rotherham people,” added Marilyn. “The children used to walk that way to feed the swans. It was a pastime for them in the six-week holidays.

“Bikes used to use it regularly. One man has done for 12 years, from Rotherham town centre to Swinton, for work. Now he has to do a 20-minute round trip and cross two roads, one a dual carriageway.”

The petition was referred to Paul Woodcock, RMBC’s environment director, for consideration.

Sean McGinley, director of Yorkshire & North East for Canal & River Trust said: “As the waterway and wellbeing charity that looks after Rotherham Canal we want to ensure that as many people as possible can enjoy and benefit from spending time by water.

“The Rotherham Canal is incredibly important to local people, a place for them to keep active and clear their minds, so the denial of public access on this stretch of towpath has been deeply frustrating.

“We’ve made every effort to reinstate access and have now begun the legal process to reopen the towpath as quickly as possible for all to benefit from and enjoy once more.”