Improved public footpath planned for Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

A public footpath at the county’s World Heritage Site could soon be improved under plans submitted to Wrexham Council

It has been proposed that the existing step access and footpath below the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is replaced to enhance the accessibility between the aqueduct and the River Dee.

This would follow a similar line to the footpath currently in place.

According to the plans, which has been prepared for the Canal & River Trust by Arcadis Consulting (UK) Ltd, the works would include a new flight of realigned steps, handrails and railings to the edge of the River Dee.

This would see the existing steps removed and replaced with ones that are consistent in height and length for visitors.

Details provided in the applicant’s design and access statement, explain: “The intentions of the proposals are for the new stepped access to sit in harmony with the existing landscape.

“The steps have been designed with a feathered edge, always staying at a minimum width of 2m but extending out to either side, as appropriate to levels, into the soft landscape.

“This will help to blend it into the local topography by allowing understory planting to merge into the edges of the steps.

“The design of the consistent minimum 2m central width of steps will remove the need for users to step off the steps and cause erosion to the hillside which is currently evident.”

Other changes include planting along the edges of the new steps and improving the length of footpath from the bottom of the steps beneath the aqueduct and along the river to the west.

This would provide help to provide additional space for visitors to pass each other and to take in the surroundings.

The applicants say that will provides a wider area which will provide views back to the aqueduct and ongoing access to the existing footpath.

Details about the design of the improved footpath are also provided, with a sandstone similar to the aqueduct selected to remain in-keeping with the existing surroundings.

The handrail will also be designed to complement the existing handrail from the aqueduct and will be designed and fabricated a local craftsman with experience in the World Heritage Site.

The applicants add: “The proposals represent a carefully considered approach for delivering a high quality, sustainable solution to improving the access and connectivity around the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct which also introduces protective measures to help preserve the heritage asset.

The application will be considered for approval by Wrexham Council at a later date.

Featured image: Visualisation of how the new footpath would look (Picture: Planning documents)