Camp Ref CC2024-13

Cotswold Canals Trust aims to reopen the route from the Thames at Inglesham to the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal at Saul, with a phased approach. Phase 1a from Stonehouse to Brimscombe is largely complete; work is in hand on Phase 1b to re-connect this to the canal system at Saul. Phase 2 will restore the eastern end from Inglesham to the Cotswold Water Park. Finally, Phase 3 will tackle the difficult central section from the Water Park to Brimscombe.

Current work is focussed on the ‘Phase 1b’ length of the Stroudwater Navigation, which is being rebuilt and reopened from Saul Junction to Stonehouse, reconnecting the Cotswold Canals (the Stroudwater and the Thames & Severn Canal) to the national canal network.  This work is being supported by a major grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.  Our work represents an important contribution to the overall project, as well as counting as part of the necessary ‘match funding’ required by the Lottery grant.

The work on three Camps this summer is to complete the rebuilding of John Robinson Lock, following six successful weeks of Canal Camps in 2023. There are still brickwork repairs, coping stone reinstatement, lock ladder installation and landscaping to be done – and then there’s the nearby Dock Lock to work on.