Efforts are intensifying to restore the missing section of the Stroudwater Navigation canal.
- A new aqueduct design will enable the canal to traverse the Oldbury Brook.
- The Cotswold Canals Connected initiative is leading this heritage project.
- Rodgers Leask is the engineering firm responsible for the ambitious plans.
- Restoration promises ecological and economic benefits for the local area.
Efforts to restore the missing section of the Stroudwater Navigation canal, lost due to the M5 construction, are progressing with new designs from civil engineering consultancy Rodgers Leask. The initiative is focused on creating a replacement aqueduct, which will allow the canal to cross the Oldbury Brook, reconnecting a historic waterway.
Rodgers Leask is tasked with devising a concept for the aqueduct and the nearby John Robinson Lock. The design includes key elements such as a triple pipe culvert and a protective cover slab, ensuring structural integrity and functionality.
The project is managed by Cotswold Canals Connected, a collaboration between Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Rodgers Leask’s multi-disciplinary team is addressing the technical, financial, and logistical challenges presented by this significant scheme.
A noteworthy feature of the aqueduct design involves using modular bag units for the retaining walls, allowing volunteers to participate in the construction. By simplifying material selection, the project manages to stay within budget while maintaining the expected standards.
Once complete, the canal’s reinstated section is anticipated to foster a community-driven wildlife corridor and serve as a vibrant tourist attraction. This restoration project not only enhances local biodiversity but also celebrates the region’s historical legacy, thus supporting the area’s economy.
Rodgers Leask’s regional director, Dave Bathurst, highlights the synergy of technical expertise and practical solutions achieved through collaboration with Cotswold Canal Connected. He notes the project’s social value, as it transforms a neglected industrial channel into a community amenity.
Project manager Chris Mitford-Slade of Cotswold Canals Connected describes the restoration as a significant development for both the community and the environment, creating a space that interlaces heritage with natural habitat.
The restoration of Stroudwater Navigation canal’s ‘missing mile’ exemplifies a blend of engineering innovation and community involvement, promising substantial ecological and economic benefits.
