British Waterways talks about the regeneration of Wakefield's historic waterfront ...
Wakefield Waterfront
© Yvonne Akroyd
Brief History
Wakefield’s waterways have played a significant role in the city’s industrial heritage and economic prosperity.
Developed in the 1760-70’s they were the catalyst for construction of warehousing and commercial properties for the industries that relied upon the canal for transportation of freight.
This industry was prosperous for a number of years, but the site began to decline by the end of the 19th century, in line with the decline of the canal’s importance as a means of transporting goods.
Revival
Now the waterfront is coming alive again, contributing to Wakefield’s exciting revival.
British Waterways has been involved in the Wakefield Waterfront Regeneration Scheme from the beginning and were instrumental in the establishment of the Wakefield Waterfront Partnership.
The Partnership included land owners, tenants, community interest groups and Wakefield Council. Key aims were to stimulate and promote regeneration, maximise the potential, and create a breathtaking, vibrant new waterfront destination for Wakefield, where people could live, work and enjoy their leisure time.
The Hepworth Wakefield
The Hepworth Wakefield is Yorkshire's exciting new art gallery and creative centre which will open in winter 2009/10.
Commissioned by Wakefield Council, the new gallery has been designed by David Chipperfield. It will be built on a prime waterside location, within the City's historic waterfront, adjacent to the River Calder.
The scheme includes a new pedestrian bridge, designed by Whitby Bird Engineers, over the River Calder that will link the gallery and wider waterfront to Wakefield City Centre.
The River Calder is part of the Calder & Hebble Navigation, linking the site to the wider network of historic waterways within Yorkshire and nationally, and visitors from far and wide.
Opening up accessibility
It is a little known fact that 50% of the population live within five miles of their nearest canal and in Wakefield the waterways have gone largely unnoticed for a number of years.
The new waterfront is set to change all this, and open up a brand new impressive gateway at the southern approach to the City.
British Waterways is responsible for maintaining 270 miles of the 200 year old inland waterway network in Yorkshire alone, as well as over 300 listed structures.
When the new waterfront setting is complete, people will discover they can use it for a wide range of leisure activities and make it part of their everyday lives.
The towpath is an ideal place for exercising, angling, walking or cycling to work, taking the family to feed the ducks or just chilling out and enjoying a stress free lunch break.