Project Overview
FPS Pontoon Hire supported the Southall Waterside regeneration project beside the Grand Union Canal by providing a temporary floating towpath diversion for pedestrians and cyclists.
The construction works affected the existing canal-side route, so the project required a temporary access system that could maintain public passage alongside the development area.
The FPS Solution
FPS designed and installed a modular floating walkway measuring approximately 150 m long and 2 m wide.
The first walkway installation was completed over three days and formed a temporary route alongside the closed section of towpath.
The system incorporated controls required for the canal environment, including:
- Warning and navigation lights.
- Barge boards.
- Safety barriers along the walkway.
These features helped make the temporary route visible to waterway users and provided collective protection for pedestrians using the floating walkway.
Temporary Pedestrian Access Over Water
Floating walkways can provide a practical diversion where canal-side construction, bridge works or maintenance temporarily closes an existing route. Platform width, loading, edge protection, lighting and navigation requirements all need to reflect the site and intended users.
For similar projects, see our Floating Walkways & Bridges and Pedestrian Walkways services.
The Outcome
The floating pontoon system provided a temporary route beside the Southall Waterside works and demonstrated how a modular walkway can maintain access around a major canal-side construction project.
Designing a Public Towpath Diversion
- Route width for pedestrians and cyclists
- Ramps and transitions at each end
- Barriers, lighting and signage
- Keeping a navigable channel for boats
- Agreement with the Canal & River Trust
See our Canal Towpath Pedestrian Diversion Pontoon Hire page.
Related Services
Related Projects
- Wigan Pier – 36 m Floating Work Platform for Canal-Side Refurbishment
- Heathrow Airport Reservoir – 120 m Pontoon Walkway
- View all Pontoon Hire Case Studies
Need a Temporary Floating Walkway?
Tell us the required walkway length and width, expected users, waterway conditions, edge-protection requirements and site-access constraints and our team can review a suitable temporary system.
Call 01253 921 352 or contact FPS Pontoon Hire to request a quotation.
