Coming info Brighouse from Sowerby Bridge at the west, the towpath is on the north of canal, but coming out of Brighouse towards Bradley, the towpath is on the south side to Cooper Bridge (coming off early after Bradley Viaduct 21m via Lower Quarry Road because of collapsed towpath).
But within Brighouse, on the east of Brighouse Basin the towpath is inaccessible on both sides so some route must be found from Brighouse Basin to Anchor Pit Bridge 9.
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| The urban route from Brighouse Basin to Anchor Pit Bridge 9 |
The urban route takes Armytage Road from Brighouse Basin, then Huntingdon Road across Blakeborough's Bridge and the canal, and then River Street to Anchor Pit Bridge 9, requiring a diversion from the waterside for about a mile.
Today we looked to see if more towpaths might be used (and for a more pleasant walk) as well as where the north side path became impassible.
On the north side we found a short stretch that was very accessible but did not reach either Brighouse Bottom or the motorway. It might be used as an early exit from Armytage Road (at Priory Road or before) to Blakeborough's Bridge
These images showing the inaccessible section in red are show below.
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| The impassible north east (left) and the passable south (right) from which the other pictures were taken |
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| View of the impassible north taken from the south |
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| Futher view of the impassible north taken from the south |
Images are shown below of the first route to the towpath from Armytage Road and Brighouse Basin, before the well marked Priory Road route.
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| A view from Armytage Road of the Bathroom Showroom, to the right of which entry can be gained to the north-side towpath through a small gate |
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| A close up of the small pedestrian gate offering access to the northside towpath |
It becomes clear then that most of Armytage Road route can be replaced by a canal side walk on a well kept towpath, and Blakeborough's bridge can be used to cross to the south side.
The question remains whether there is any usable towpath on the south side before the east end of River Street. The Canal & River Trust map clearly indicates one, but is it usable?
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| The Canal & River Trust map indicates a footpath from Blakeborough Bridge to Anchor Pit Bridge 9 |
To check this route we parked at the end of River Street and walked back to the bridge.
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| River Street back to Blakeborough Bridge |
Access from the bridge is via a long drop (on the right of the image below) to the towpath under the bridge. Climbing back up will be impossible for all except perhaps tall men between 15 and 25 years old.
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| Jump from the footpath on the right down about 6 feet to the towpath on the left |
The route was definitely "passable" but perhaps not very easily. Even in winter, the parts nearer the bridge had a definite jungle aspect, with plenty of brambles, and I'm not convinced it will be a good route in the summer.
The urban route along river street will be much preferable and is well shaded in the summer.
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| The south side from the bridge. It gets worse before it gets better. |
The recommended route is shown in blue below with an optional section in red for adventurous people.
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