Connecting canals and communities

AN OVERVIEWof the Cotswold Canals Connected project was presented during an hour-long webinar delivered recently on Zoom.

Welcoming theonline audience, project director Chris Mitford-Slade said there had been a huge amount of work going on for the last 50years with the restoration of Phase 1A ongoing since 2008.

This is now completed from Stroud Brewery to the Ocean Railway Bridge which was replaced recently by Network Rail. A timelapse video of the work was shown.

It also marks the starting point of Phase 1B from Stonehouse to link with the national canal network at Saul Junction with work expected to take until 2025. Contracts arealso tobeawarded to developers at Brimscombe Port.

One of the main elements of Phase 1B is the ‘missingmile’ of infilled canal between the A38 and Oldbury Brook.

In his summary, Chris stressed that this is beingbuilt with thecommunity, by the community and for the community – a truly inclusive and diverse project.

During 2022, the focus will be on volunteering, events, health and wellbeing, connecting communities and organisations along the canal corridor.

Engineering manager Glenn Dooley explained that Phase1Bcomprises three very different sections:

· Saul Junction to theA38 roundabout at Whitminster

· The ‘Missing Mile’ from the A38 to Eastington

·Ea sting ton to The Ocean, Stone house Projects fall either to restoration where canal infrastructure exists in one form or another or new builds such as theA38 roundabout and Ocean Railway bridge – professionally delivered significant infrastructure projects. A proposed multi-user trail will be very much volunteer-led.

Glenn said that what makes this project special is its unique approach to deliveringmajor civil engineering as well as new jobs and opportunities for volunteers and community feedback.

Anew routewill beconstructed under the M5 crossing at Hyde’s Bridge. This will be shared with the River Frome with the canal alongside but about 1m lower than the river to allowheadroom for boats.

Other works will include the diversion of an oil pipeline under the canal, agricultural crossings and bridge replacements.

Gloucester Wildlife Trust environment manager Anna Tarbet outlined how the project would deliver for the environment and said this could be the first project in the UK to get Building with Nature accreditation.

Work to date includes protected species surveys, habitat assessments, bio-engineering and nature-based solutions; innovative canal design; tussock sedges and canal bank protection; vegetation choices and the creation of a new waterway corridor.

The 2022 programme will include offline pond creation, riparian habitat enhancement, atreedatabase, restoration of grassland, orchard restoration and environmental stewardship.

Strategic partners are: Cotswold Canals Trust, Canal& River Trust, Gloucestershire County Council, Stroud Valley Canal Company, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Stroudwater Navigation Archive Charity and Stroud District Council.

The presentation can be viewed at www.cotswoldcanalsconnected.org