The Willesden and Kensal Green Connection project comprises two phases. The first phase of the project was completed in May 2025.
The second phase of works involves installing new cables along the canal towpath. This phase began in July 2025 and sees the installation of new link boxes, fibre cables, and joint bays to run the cable along the canal. Our teams have also been planting new hedgerows along the towpath.
Sections of the towpath have been closed during this phase to enable our engineers to work safely and efficiently along the canal. During works, there has been no end-to-end access along the towpath, meaning diversion routes were in place for pedestrians and cyclists.
Whilst we installed pontoons for the works that took place during phase one, this is not viable during the second phase of works. The installation of new cables is a ‘rolling process’ rather than static, meaning lengthy sections of the Grand Union Canal towpath needed to be closed to enable cable installation.
Diversions
Due to a change in our works programme, the third closure planned between Barretts Green Road to Old Oak Lane will now not be going ahead in October 2025. Updates will be posted to our website in due course.
Community engagement
In June 2025, we hosted community drop-ins and a webinar to provide information and address questions ahead of our phase two works, and answered any questions regarding the project.
Details and timings of the events that took place in June can be found below:
Event type | Date | Time | Location |
Online webinar | Tuesday 10 June | 6-7pm | Online |
Pop-up event | Tuesday 17 June
| 5-7pm | Entrance to Sainsbury’s canal side at Ladbroke Grove |
Pop-up event | Wednesday 18 June | 5-7pm | Outside The Collective |
Pop-up event | Thursday 19 June | 5-7pm | The canal access on Barretts Green Road |
In-person drop in | 28 June 2025 | 10am-2pm | Queens Park Court Community Hall, Droop St, London W10 4QD |