A HALF a million pound project to restore a towpath along the River Lee in Enfield has begun.

The pathway, used by pedestrians and cyclists, off Towpath Road in Edmonton, will be resurfaced and furnished with new barriers and gates to make it more accessible.

Towpath Road itself will also be upgraded, making it easier for large vehicles and buses to get to businesses along the road, and the drainage system will be improved.

British Waterways is leading the project, made possible thanks to £537,000 from Enfield Council, Transport for London and the organisation itself, and say when completed it will boost links for businesses to the 2012 Olympic park.

Tav Kazmi, senior regeneration manager for British Waterways, said the scheme has been developed with input from Edmonton businesses who are set to benefit from the changes.

The towpath is set to remain closed off to the public for the next few months for the work to be carried out, and should be reopened in August.

Walkers and cyclists can use an alternative route around Banbury Reservoir.