Cotswold Canals in Pictures

Cotswold Canals Connected Overview

Also known as Phase 1B, the 'Cotswold Canals Connected' restoration section of the Stroudwater Canal covers a distance of about 6km (3.7 miles) and is expected to be completed in 2029 (Source: CCT AGM 18/11/2023).

Phase 1B is between Walk Bridge at Whitminster, close to Saul Junction on the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, and the new Ocean Railway Bridge in Stonehouse.

The restoration is divided into three sections:

1. Walk Bridge to the A38.
2. The 'Missing Mile' (A38 to Westfield Lock).
3. Westfield Lock to the Ocean Railway Bridge.

The main elements of the restoration include:

  • reinstatement of about 1.6km (the 'missing mile') of infilled canal between the A38 and Westfield Lock (Chipmans Platt, Eastington)
  • establishment of a new towpath along new canal section above (deferred from Phase 1A)
  • new route under M5 (using existing river bridge)
  • construction of two new A38 road bridges (completed in 2020)
  • moving utilities (pipes & fibre optic cables etc.)
  • reinstatement of three other bridges
  • construction of two new locks
  • construction of a new canal basin near the A38 (Hyde's Basin)
  • restoration and/or refurbishment of a further 6 locks
  • re-routing of an oil pipeline
  • solutions for where the River Frome and Oldbury Brook cross the canal line
  • construction of a new 'Ocean' railway bridge at Stonehouse (completed in 2022)

Section 1: Walk Bridge to A38 (Whitminster)

Walk Bridge

Walk Bridge: This low-level road bridge is the first major obstruction when travelling east from Saul Junction and will be replaced with a high-level fixed bridge, probably before the end of 2027 (Source: CCT AGM 18/11/2023.)

Whitminster Lock & Bridge

Whitminster Lock was partly restored by the Cotswold Canals Trust in the 1990s, but not gated. This lock will require some additional modifications for flood risk alleviation.

Under the proposed scheme the lock will be entered from the River Frome when travelling from Stroud to Saul Junction.

Whitminster Bridge is adjacent to Whitminster Lock this was once a farm access swing bridge, which is no longer operational. A Public Right of Way (EWH/21/3) crosses the canal here.

This will be replaced with a manually-operated lift bridge similar in design to Lodgemore Bridge in Stroud, except it will have two overhead balance arms, not one.

Canal and River Frome

East of Whitminster Lock for a distance of about 660m the canal line, which used to run parallel to the River Frome, has been lost. Near the point where the canal reappears there used to be Lockham Aqueduct which carried the Frome under the bed of the canal.

The restored canal will share the river course along this stretch, which was in fact the case when the canal was first built. (The canal was later separated to avoid it constantly silting-up.)

Phase 1b River Frome map
Stroudwater Navigation shares the River Frome course
Stonepitts Bridge

Stonepitts Bridge was a hump-backed farm bridge long since demolished. A Public Right of Way (EWH/21/3) crosses the canal here. This will be replaced with same bridge design as Whitminster, described above.

Oil Pipeline

An oil pipeline crosses the canal near Occupation Bridge which blocks the navigation. This is to be re-routed under the canal bed.

Occupation Bridge

Occupation Bridge carries a farm track over the canal and requires some refurbishment.

Section 2: 'Missing Mile' - A38 to John Robinson (Westfield) Lock

The 'missing mile' was created when the M5 was built and a section of the canal was infilled and other structures demolished. The yellow items on the map below indicate where significant new structures are required, including a new canal channel using the River Frome M5 underpass.

The original route of the canal now bisects the large A38/A419 roundabout at Whitminster which is in the top left corner of the map below.

Phase 1b M5 map
Proposed new canal route near M5 ('Missing Mile')
A38 (Bristol Road) Bridges

In 2020 two new canal bridges, with a canal channel between, were constructed by Gloucestershire County Council on the A38 roundabout at Whitminster.

This removed one of the major route obstructions on this section of canal.

A38 Road Bridge, Whitminster
North A38 roundabout bridge looking from the southern bridge - new channel between
Replacement Bristol Road (BR) Lock

A new lock will be constructed to replace the original which was adjacent to the original A38 bridge . The replacement lock will have less of a fall due to the insertion of another new lock east of the M5 which is required to lower the level of the canal under the motorway.

New Canal Channel

The original canal route between the A38 and Westfield Bridge/Lock is represented by the broken brown line on the above map.

A new channel will be cut along the approximate route indicated by the black line on the map.

Hydes Basin

A new canal basin and facilities will be constructed near the A38. Hyde's Basin takes its name from the nearby site of Hyde's Bridge on the Stroudwater which was demolished when the M5 was constructed.

M5 River Frome Underpass & New Canal Channel

To prevent the huge expense and disruption of constructing a purpose-built canal bridge across the M5, the solution will use the existing River Frome underpass.

A new concrete canal channel will be added alongside the river. As will be seen from the illustration below, the level of the canal will be lower than the normal river level, to achieve the required headroom.

A consequence of this solution is that during significant flood events the canal channel may be unusable.

It is hoped that the new channel will be complete by the end of 2027. (Source: CCT AGM 18/11/2023)

Phase 1b M5 bridge
Cross-section through River Frome M5 underpass (not to scale)
New Footbridge

Note the existing footpath tunnel in the graphic above is not the towpath. The route of the new towapth is between the river and canal when approaching the M5 from the south. A new footbridge will carry the towpath over the canal near the M5 where it will divert to use an existing underpass. This was originally constructed to allow cattle to pass under the motorway.

New 'M5' Lock

A new lock is required east of the M5 near Westfield Lock to lower the level of the canal to provide sufficient headroom through the River Frome M5 underpass.

Westfield Bridge

Westfield Bridge is in fair condition and carries a Public Right of Way (EEA/37/2) over the canal. It will require some refurbishment.

John Robinson (Westfield) Lock

The lock, which had been infilled, suffered significant structural damage caused when the Oldbury Brook channel was constructed (see below) and needed to be repaired / partly re-built.

Work started to excavate and repair the lock chamber in late 2022.

Oldbury Brook

The Oldbury Brook originally flowed into the canal at Meadow Mill and flowed out again using the Meadow Mill spill weir.

After canal abandonment, a new deep channel for Oldbury Brook was cut through the canal line at the tail of Westfield Lock, and the canal is now infilled either side.

A new aqueduct will be constructed here to take the watercourse under the canal.

Phase 1b Oldbury Brook
Oldbury Brook cutting across the canal line with Westfield Bridge
(buried Westfield Lock in between)

Section 3: Westfield Lock to Ocean Railway (Jubilee) Bridge

Dock Lock

Dock Lock has been partly restored previously, but has not been operational since canal abandonment. It requires further repairs, escape ladders, paddle gear and gates.

Pike Bridge

Pike Bridge was rebuilt in 2005 and it is assumed that this is maintained by Gloucestershire Highways.

Pike Lock

Pike Lock had been partly restored previously, but not operational since canal abandonment.

In common with Dock Lock it required further repairs, escape ladders, paddle gear and gates.

Repairs to the lock were completed in 2023 and it is now awaiting new gates.

Blunder Lock

Blunder Lock has been previously restored to operational condition, but will be fitted with new lock gates.

Newtown Lock

Newtown Lock has been previously restored to operational condition, but will be fitted with new lock gates.

Roving Bridge

Roving Bridge appears to be well maintained and carries a track over the canal.

Bonds Mill Bridge

Bond's Mill Bridge, once a swing bridge, was replaced in 1994 with an all-composite (plastic) hydraulically-operated lift bridge.

This is no longer operational and will be replaced with an electrically-operated lift bridge.

Ocean Railway Bridge

The most significant item in this section is the new railway bridge at Stonehouse. This was constructed by Network Rail at the end of December 2021, with supporting works ongoing until May 2022. Pictures of the bridge construction are here, and more information on the Ocean Bridge page.

Ocean Bridge proposal
Elevation cross-section of Ocean Jubilee Bridge, looking west
(Click for larger image)
Jubilee Railway Bridge, Stonehouse
Ocean Jubilee Bridge - from drawing to reality

Funding

In April 2018 Stroud District Council were awarded Round One Development Funding (about £0.8M) from the National Heritage Lottery Fund (NHLF). This was in response to an application submitted to the NHLF in November 2017 for about £8.9M towards the cost of Phase 1B, estimated at £23M.

In addition to the NHLF funding, financial support will come from:

  • Stroud District Council (SDC) £2.3m (more...)
  • Gloucestershire County Council £700,000 (more...)
  • Canal & River Trust (CRT) £625,000 plus additional support (more...)
  • Highways England £4m towards restoration of 'missing mile' (more...)

The Cotswold Canals Trust will also contribute cash and volunteer resources.

A successful final-round grant application was submitted to the NHLF in May 2020 which resulted in a funding award for £8.9M being announced in October 2020.

Since 2020 additional funding is being sourced due an increase in the cost of construction and materials.

Back to Top