The Stroudwater Canal restoration has received a significant £1 million funding boost to replace the Walk Bridge near Whitminster, marking a key milestone in a nationally important heritage and regeneration project.
Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) approved the funding this week to support efforts led by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canal Trust. Currently, Walk Bridge is a low-level road bridge owned by Shire Hall that restricts boats from passing underneath. Replacing this bridge is essential to reconnect a critical “missing mile” of the canal between Stonehouse and Saul Junction.
Once the bridge is replaced and the canal fully restored, it will provide a continuous route for boating, walking, cycling, and wheeling. The enhanced connectivity will deliver extensive environmental, heritage, and economic benefits to the Gloucestershire region.
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The £1 million contribution is part of GCC’s approved budget and forms a segment of a broader £16 million regeneration initiative spearheaded by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust, with substantial funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Construction is anticipated over the next two to three years, pending final approvals, aiming to reopen the canal link in time for its 250th anniversary in 2029.
Highways cabinet member Joe Harris described the proposal as deceptively simple but fundamentally important. “This bridge may not be a flashy mega project, but it stands between us and the dream of a fully restored Stroudwater Canal – a ribbon of water, history, and opportunity running through Gloucestershire.”
He emphasized that the investment not only supports regeneration efforts but also attracts external funding and boosts biodiversity in the area.
Cabinet member Linda Cohen praised the canal’s potential to unite history, community, and economic prosperity. She noted that the project would leave a lasting legacy for Stroud District Council, celebrating the achievements of the council and its officers.
A spokesperson from Stroud District Council added: “Gloucestershire County Council’s committed funding will enable the replacement of Walk Bridge, which has had a 7.5-tonne weight restriction since 1999. The Cotswold Canals Connected project team continues collaborating with GCC Highways on the bridge’s detailed specifications and design. This replacement is the final vital step to reconnect the Stroudwater Canal to the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal at Saul Junction.”