The Willesden and Kensal Green Connection project comprises two phases.
The first phase of the project was completed in May 2025.
During this phase, we removed the existing cables from troughs along the towpath. This prepared the route for the new cables to be installed as part of phase two.
The second phase of works involves installing new cables and planting new hedgerows along the towpath. This phase began in July 2025 and was placed on hold shortly before winter moorings began in October 2025.
Work resumed in September 2026 to install the final cables along the towpath. These latest installation works are now complete, however, you may still see some low-level activity in the area as the remaining phase two works continue.
We will also need to temporarily close a short section of the towpath near Kensal Green Substation for a brief period in 2027, and we’ll share further information on our website once confirmed.
Community engagement
In June 2025, we hosted community drop-ins and a webinar to provide information about our phase two works and answer questions about the project. Our teams also spoke with canal towpath users in September 2026 ahead of the recent works to ensure local residents and commuters were aware of any diversions to their journeys.
Details and timings of the events that took place in June 2025 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 |