THE history of a canal could be portrayed on signs along a towpath as part of an enhancement project.

Over the past 12 months environmental charity Groundwork has been working closely with The Friends of Ulverston Canal and the land owners NPL Ltd.

The team are wanting to complete landscape work around Canal Foot and introduce information signs along the route. This month the applicant, NPL Energy, has submitted a planning application to South Lakeland District Council.

Some of the enhancement work will include removing vegetation and re-exposing kerb edges, installing knee rails for safety and building new footpaths.

Colin Smith, chairman of The Friends of Ulverston Canal, said: “If the planning application is approved then the work can commence this spring. It’s mainly about enhancing the paths, looking at new signage and taking away some of the old rusty things that have been there for ages.”

The signs, which are being designed by Chris Brammall, from Ulverston, will be placed at strategic locations down the towpath.

Mr Smith said: “They have been cleverly designed and will explain the significance of that area.

“They will include information about the railway, nature and industrial heritage.”

Mr Smith also explained that one of the ideas would be to provide access to further information.

He said: “A possibility would be to provide something where people could scan their mobile phones and find out more information about that area. This would keep it future proof but we are still investigating that idea.”

The planning application says: “The proposal consists of a series of five installations located at different points along the canal.

“The installations will be made from steel sheets with words cast into them related to different aspects of the history of the Ulverston Canal.”

Mr Smith is hopeful that the planning application will be accepted by SLDC.

He said: “I’m hoping it will be viewed favourably. There’s nothing massively changing, it’s about improving surfaces so it’s accessible for all people and the new knee rails would provide safety for youngsters.”

SLDC has not yet set a date for when this application will go before the planning committee.