Residents have criticised a canal towpath closure linked to data centre works in west London, saying it has disrupted journeys and left some unclear about the purpose of the project.
The section of the Grand Union Canale towpath between Old Oak Lane and Barretts Green Road closed on Monday 14 September and is expected to reopen on 5 October while new equipment and cables are installed.
Several towpath users said the closure was adding time to their journeys, while some said they had not been aware of the purpose of the works.
Canal boat resident Jonny Grady said he was “not surprised” when told the works were being carried out to provide a connection for a data centre.
He said: “Residents and commuters have had to navigate months of construction and closures, only to find out that the work is providing power for a commercial data centre in Park Royal. If public spaces are going to be disrupted on this scale, residents deserve clear and upfront information about why.”
Image: Canal boats moored next to Old Oak Common Elizebeth Line Depot. Credit: Alexander James
National Grid’s Willesden and Kensal Green Connection Project involves replacing around three kilometres of cable along the Grand Union Canal between its Willesden and Kensal Green substations.
The company said the project followed a request for a new electricity connection for a data centre in Park Royal. It added that it has a legal obligation to connect customers to the transmission network when requested.
National Grid said it could not comment on the identity of the company behind the individual connection request or on commercial arrangements with the customer.
Image: Map of route of works. Credit: National Grid
The first phase of the project, which ran from May 2024 to May 2025, involved removing existing high-voltage cables. The second phase involves installing replacement cables and associated equipment. It began in July 2025 before being paused ahead of the winter mooring period.
The works come amid wider concerns about the growth of data centres in Park Royal.
Further data centres are planned in the local area, including the SEGRO/Pure Data Centres development at Premier Park and Kao Data’s planned site at Frogmore Industrial Estate. Both are expected to become operational in 2029.
In July, Park Royal residents protested outside the planned Kao Data development and demolition during a heatwave, raising concerns about construction dust, noise, heat and air quality.
Image: Protest outside the Kao data centre. Credit: Amandine Alexandre
Green Party councillor Amandine Alexandre, who represents Harlesden and Kensal Green and attended the July protest, said the towpath closure should be seen in the context of wider concerns about the growth of data centres in Park Royal.
She said: “The temporary closure of the towpath wouldn’t be an issue if data centres were a critical piece of infrastructure that benefited residents, but this inconvenience is only the tip of the iceberg.
“The construction of the data centres causes a lot of dust, noise and vibrations.”
She added that she believed the towpath closure should be viewed as part of the wider impact of data-centre development on surrounding communities.
A National Grid spokesperson said: “We recognise that the temporary towpath closures have affected some local residents and canal users, and we’ve worked hard to minimise disruption where possible.
“We’d like to thank residents and towpath users for their patience while this essential work is carried out, and we look forward to reopening the towpath for the community to enjoy once the project is complete.”
A spokesperson from the Canal & River Trust, which manages the waterway, said: “All third party works must be agreed with the Trust and comply with our charity’s Code of Practice. Our Code of Practice includes conditions which ensure environmental protections, as well as guaranteeing that any towpath affected is reinstated to meet our standards.”
Feature image: Signs for towpath closure at Scrubs lane bridge. Credit: Alexander James
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