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 will involve installing new cables along the canal towpath. This phase is estimated to begin in July 2025 and complete in winter 2025. These works will see the installation of new link boxes, fibre cables, and joint bays to run the cable along the canal. Our teams will also be planting new hedgerows along the towpath during this phase.
Sections of the towpath will need to be closed during this phase to enable our engineers to work safely and efficiently along the canal. During works, there will be no end to end access along the towpath, meaning pedestrians and cyclists will need to follow diversion routes.
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 need to be closed to enable cable installation.
Diversions
There will be three separate diversions as part of phase two.
The first closure along the towpath will take place from Monday 14 July 2025 until Sunday 27 July 2025. The diversion route during this closure will be from Scrubs Lane to Ladbroke Grove.
View the diversion route from Scrubs Lane to Ladbroke Grove Road on google maps.
Please note, we will be returning to complete caballing in this section from Monday 8 September 2025 to Monday 15 September 2025. Please follow the step-free diversion below during this period.
The second closure along the towpath will take place from Monday 4 August to Sunday 21 September 2025 when this section of the towpath will reopen.
View the stepped diversion route from Old Oak Lane to Scrubs Lane on google maps.
There will be no step-free access between Scrubs Lane and the towpath from Monday 14 July to Sunday 21 September. If you require step-free access between Old Oak Lane and Ladbroke Grove during this period, please see the additional diversion below.
View the step-free diversion route from Old Oak Lane to Ladbroke Grove on google maps.
The final closure along the towpath will take place from Monday 6 October until Sunday 26 October when this section of the towpath will be opened and restored. The diversion route during this closure will be from Barretts Green Road to Old Oak Lane.
View the diversion route from Barretts Green Road to Old Oak Lane on google maps.
Weekend works
We are pleased to confirm that night works for our cable installation are no longer necessary. However, we will still need to conduct weekend works to ensure efficient installation.
This approach will allow us to finish the works as quickly and safely as possible and reduce the duration of the towpath closures, minimising disruption for the local community.
Weekend works will be taking place along the Old Oak Lane to Scrubs Lane section of the towpath between Saturday 9 August – Sunday 10 August 2025, Saturday 16 August – Sunday 17 August 2025 and Saturday 23 August – Sunday 24 August 2025.
We are working hard to keep disruption to a minimum and work will only take place between 7am – 5pm. Thank you for your patience whilst these essential works are carried out.
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 |