Stroudwater Lock, also known as Junction Lock, marks the start of a section of the Stroudwater that used to link the canal to the River Severn, before the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal was constructed. This is about 1.3km (0.8 miles) in length.
This section, now known as the 'Old Stroudwater', is unlikely to be re-opened, not least because of the dangers of locking into the river at Upper Framilode. The Gloucester and Sharpness Canal provides the needed connectivity to the National Waterways Network further upstream at Gloucester.
This lock, which is Grade II listed, was restored by the Canal & River Trust (CRT) in the second half of 2016.
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Stroudwater Lock, Saul Junction
Stroudwater Lock, Saul Junction, looking towards Upper Framilode
Stroudwater Lock, Saul Junction
Stroudwater Lock, Saul Junction
Stroudwater Lock, Saul Junction, looking towards Stroud
Stroudwater Lock paddle gear detail
Before Lock Restoration
Stroudwater Lock, Saul Junction, before 2016 restoration
Stroudwater Lock, Saul Junction, before 2016 restoration
Stroudwater Lock, Saul Junction, before 2016 restoration
'Old Stroudwater' is a term that has been adopted to describe the section of the canal between Saul Junction and Upper Framilode.
Before the opening of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, this was the route taken by the Stroudwater Navigation to connect into the River Severn.
Some of the canal in this section is now infilled, and locking into and navigating the river at Upper Framilode, which is also tidal at this point, could be somewhat hazardous.
For these reasons, it is unlikely that this section will be fully restored through to the River Severn.
