The Pennine Lancashire Linear Park

Unlocking the potential of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

An illustrated view of a canal with narrowboats and people walking and cycling on the towpath with a large re-purposed industrial space in the background.

The Pennine Lancashire Linear Park is a pioneering vision for a 23-mile section of the historic Leeds & Liverpool Canal corridor. Spanning four district authorities – Blackburn with Darwen, Hyndburn, Burnley and Pendle, the canal section passes through several towns built around the textile industry.

Imagined as a linear park, the canal could bring life back to the places and infrastructure that once supported thriving industry, create opportunities for people to live, play and be productive and above all, build a greener future for the local community.

People running, cycling and walking along a canal towpath.
A red gasholder overlooks a path and green space above a canal.
Acrobats perform stunts on a bridge over a canal at night as spectators watch from the canal towpath.
People canoe past a large industrial warehouse on the edge of a canal.
People in life jackets canoeing in a canal and renting or carrying canoes to the water.

Publica developed a feasibility study advocating for the area’s sustainable renewal and to act as a catalyst for securing regeneration funding. The project’s core ambition is to marry physical improvements to green landscape, infrastructure, and heritage assets with expansive programmes of cultural, leisure, educational, and economic activity.

Following its launch in 2021, the feasibility study directly enabled significant initial investment, leading to Super Slow Way being awarded £850,000 from the Community Renewal Fund. This critical investment is now being utilised to develop the design proposals and a robust business case for securing future capital funding.

It’s a fantastic boost for the Linear Park project and for Lancashire to have recruited consultants of the calibre and reputation of Publica and Buro Happold. The Pennine Lancashire Linear Park has the potential to deliver transformational change to the area through a holistic and ambitious approach. The positive and wide-reaching impacts of similar regenerative projects, particularly along waterways, have been seen – and measured – around the world.

Laurie Peake, Director, The Super Slow Way

Report cover titled the pennine lancashire linear park with a background illustration of a colourful town with a pathway running through the middle.
A map of the four local authorities along the Pennine Lancashire stretch of the Leeds - Liverpool Canal.
A canal on a sunny day with a boat and rowers and many pedestrians walking down.
A photograph taken from above a quiet junction showing trees and some houses alongside.
A canal and towpath with some trees leaning over the water
Car park next to a tall building overlooking trees
 

  • Year

    2020–21

  • Client

    Arts Council England, Canal & River Trust, Creative Lancashire, Lancashire County Council and Super Slow Way

  • Project type

    Research

  • Location

    Lancashire, England

OPDC Planning Guidance Visualisations