Western Daily Press (Saturday)
£9m grant to finish restoration of canal
Funding will link two towns to national inland waterway network:
TWO West towns will be connected to the national canal network for the first time in almost 70 years thanks to an £8.9 million heritage grant.
The historic canal between Stroud and Stonehouse in Gloucestershire has been derelict for decades after being abandoned by an Act of Parliament in 1954.
Five miles of canal have already been restored and the grant to the Cotswold Canals Connected Project will see 4.5 miles more restored by 2023 – connecting it to the national network at Saul Junction.
The funding award was announced by the National Lottery’s Heritage Fund yesterday morning.
The move will bring a huge boost to the area in terms of the economy, leisure, community, health, heritage and the environment.
Not only will Stroudwater Navigation become connected to the Gloucester to Sharpness Canal, but 21 hectares of biodiversity land will be created, and 30,000 trees and shrubs will be planted.
The canal archives from the 1730s will also be preserved, and it is estimated the project will generate £5.5 million per year in additional spending in the local economy.
The announcement was made shortly after 10.30am in the public square the other side of the Stroudwater Navigation to the Stroud District Council offices.
Cllr Gary Powell, chairman of Stroud District Council, welcomed a socially distanced crowd to the canalside.
The announcement was made by Stuart McLeod, director of the National Lottery Heritage Fund for England (London and South).
The Fund has previously supported the restoration work of Stroudwater Navigation.
“Today’s announcement is about a further funding commitment from the Heritage Fund, which is supporting phase 1B, at a further grant of £8.9 million, which is substantial even by our measure of the kind of grant we would normally award,” Mr McLeod said.
Also speaking at the event to share his excitement was Jim White, chairman of Cotswold Canals Trust.
“I’ve waited seven long years for this incredible news from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.” he said.
“So why am I so excited? If you’d have stood on this spot 15 years ago, apart from that wall over there, there would’ve been very little – no water, no housing, no small businesses, no people. All you had was a soulless, ugly void.
“Just look around you now and see what canal regeneration can bring. But the project is much bigger than restoring a beautiful 230-year-old canal system. The National Lottery Heritage Fund wisely demands that you describe your project in just 15 words. We chose these words: ‘Cotswolds canals connected; an exemplar canal, archive and biodiversity restoration boosting post-Covid regeneration and wellbeing’.
“My promise [is] every one of those words and every penny of [the] grant, plus that from our many supporting funders, will deliver that objective. Bringing job creation, economic recovery and improved mental and physical health wellbeing to Stroud and the surrounding area in these extremely difficult times.”
The five miles of canal that have already been restored between Stonehouse and Thrupp has involved a partnership led by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust.
Work is already under way at Whitminster roundabout, on the stretch between Stonehouse and Saul, and at the new railway bridge at Stonehouse Ocean, near St Cyr’s Church.
Doina Cornell, district council leader, said the grant funding announcement was “fantastic news”.
“I remember when I moved to the district 20 years ago people talking with enthusiasm about this canal project, and I’m so proud now of the council and all our partners who have made this dream a reality.
“The canal very much shaped the district in the past, and thanks to this National Lottery funding, will now do so in the future.
“I can’t think of any other project which benefits so many people in so many ways – and when outdoor pursuits are so important as we look forward to recovering from the Covid pandemic.”