RESTORATION of the ‘Missing Mile’ of the western section of the Stroudwater Navigation has been given the thumbs up by Stroud District Council planners. Securing planning permission was a critical step in the Cotswold Canals Connected Phase 1B Project plan to restore the Stroudwater Canal linking the Cotswold Canals to the national waterways at Saul Junction.
It is hoped that Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers will be able to start work later this year. This will include excavating 85,000m3 of ground for the new canal channel and boat basin, flood banks and two new locks. The aim is to work from the A38 roundabout going eastwards. CCT general manager Lisa Mant said: “This is another milestone in the restoration project. Subject to some ‘i’s being dotted and ‘t’s being crossed in the coming weeks, it means we can get started on this section later this year.
We need to recruit more volunteers and get sponsors for plant and equipment.” Chairman of Cotswold Canals David Hagg added: “The resolve of volunteers never fails and their hard work has meant the community already benefits from eight miles of restored canal.
“We hope this news will inspire them to continue with their efforts in the next stage of restoration to fulfil the ambition to restore the Cotswold Canals.”
The new canal channel from John Robinson (Westfield) Lock at Eastington near Westfield Bridge will connect with the channel already constructed at the A38 roundabout. The scheme covers both sides of the M5 and plans include a towpath with new pedestrian bridge, mooring basin with space for 44 non-residential moorings and a two-storey building including cafe and canal basin manager’s accommodation. SDC Environment Committee chairman Coun Chloe Turner said: “This is an important step forward for the restoration of the Stroudwater Navigation and aligns with our council plan objective to submit a planning application for the ‘Missing Mile’.”
Since Stroud District Council and CCT took on leadership of the project in 2008, 7.5km of canal between Stroud and Stonehouse has been restored, transforming the route into a peaceful walking and cycling alternative to the busy adjacent A419, and created a vibrant new water habitat for nature. Diversion The route diverts away from the historic route of the canal, as this original route has been built on at the motorway junction, highway depot and A38 roundabout and link road. The new canal channel diverts south from Westfield Bridge before going under the motorway, sharing the existing River Frome underpass with a dividing wall which will act as a flood barrier.
Key partners in the project include Gloucestershire County Council, Canal & River Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, plus charities including Cotswold Boatmobility. Canal restoration has made access to the water easier for a wider section of the community, and has seen the successful staging of talks and events including The Lock Challenge.
The trust is currently scaling up its restoration volunteer teams with the skills, equipment and resources required to deliver this project. To sign up as a volunteer and get involved visit https://cotswoldcanals. org/volunteer To contribute, contact Lisa Mant: [email protected] or call: 01453 752568. Progress can also be followed on Facebook at cotswoldcanalstrust and cotswoldcanalsconnected
