Bingley Five Rise Locks: New Cycling and Walking Route Opened

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Inspiration • August 18th, 2026

On Saturday, 8th August, the community of Bingley came together to celebrate the grand opening of a newly improved walking, wheeling, and cycling route at the scenic Bingley Five Rise Locks. This event marked the completion of a significant upgrade to the Aire Valley Greenway, a popular path for local residents and visitors alike.

Community Celebration

People of all ages took advantage of the lovely weather to enjoy the festivities surrounding the opening. Local councillors joined forces with charities such as the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and the Canal & River Trust to officially unveil the revamped route.

People in wheelchairs enjoying a sunny riverside path

Walking, wheeling and cycling on the newly improved towpath- copyright Paul Heyes/Walk Wheel Cycle Trust 2026

Father and daughter cycling along a canal path in summer

Father and daughter cycling on the newly improved route- copyright Paul Heyes/Walk Wheel Cycle Trust 2026

Scenic canal towpath in Yorkshire with people walking and lush greenery

Walkers enjoying the newly improved towpath- copyright Paul Heyes/Walk Wheel Cycle Trust 2026

Group of people cutting ribbon at Bingley Five Rise Locks surrounded by trees

Local councillors join staff and volunteers from Walk Wheel Cycle Trust and Canal & River Trust to officially open the newly improved route- copyright Paul Heyes/Walk Wheel Cycle Trust 2026

Families and community members participated in a variety of fun activities, including:

Pedal-powered smoothie maker
Face-painting
Heritage walks along Bingley Bog

The atmosphere was lively, with smiles all around as everyone enjoyed the newly enhanced surroundings.

Improvements to the Route

The improvements included widening and resurfacing 500 metres of the towpath along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, specifically between Bingley Five Rise and Bingley Three Rise Locks. This work has helped eliminate muddy puddles and uneven paths, making the route safer and more accessible for everyone, including those using mobility scooters and families with buggies.

These enhancements were made possible through funding from Active Travel England and delivered by Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, which is the new name for Sustrans, in collaboration with the Canal & River Trust and Bradford Council.

Voices from the Event

Sarah Bradbury, Senior Network Development Manager Yorkshire at Walk Wheel Cycle Trust, expressed her gratitude during the event:

“Thank you to everyone who came down and joined us for the festivities on Saturday. It was wonderful to speak to so many people and to see the impact this much-loved section of the Aire Valley Greenway has on local residents, families, and visitors alike.”
“These vital improvements are already allowing more people to get out into nature and explore the heritage and history of the area, including the iconic Bingley Five Rise and Bingley Three Rise Locks.”

Partnership for Progress

Sean McGinley, Regional Director at Canal & River Trust, shared his excitement about the project:

“It was great to see visitors enjoying the newly resurfaced towpath, which provides much-loved walking and cycling routes for the local community and visitors.”
“As a charity, it’s so important that we work with other organisations to keep our historic canals open and alive.”

This project is part of a broader effort to enhance accessibility along the National Cycle Network, making it easier for everyone to enjoy the natural beauty and heritage of the area.