What is the Stroudwater Navigation canal?

The Stroudwater Navigation is a historic canal in Gloucestershire, UK that is being restored to reconnect it to the national waterways network.

What is the goal of the Stroudwater Navigation canal restoration?

The project aims to create an accessible towpath and "wildlife corridor" linking habitats between the towns of Stroud and Gloucester.

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Historic Canal Reconnected to UK Waterways After 70 Years

Q: How much funding did the Stroudwater Navigation canal project receive?

The project received £6.4 million in funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore the "missing mile" of the canal.

4 Nov

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Summary

£6.4M National Lottery funding to restore "missing mile" of Stroudwater Navigation canal
New accessible towpath to create wildlife corridor from Stroud to Gloucester
Over 750 volunteers contributed 93,600 hours to restoration project

Historic Canal Reconnected to UK Waterways After 70 Years

In a significant development, the historic Stroudwater Navigation canal in Gloucestershire has received £6.4 million in funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to reconnect it to the UK's national waterways network. This project, led by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust, aims to reinstate the "missing mile" of the canal that was previously filled in, creating a new channel beneath the M5 motorway.

The restoration work, which has been ongoing since 2006, has seen an impressive community effort, with more than 750 volunteers contributing a combined 93,600 hours to construction, biodiversity improvements, and community engagement. The revived canal is expected to boost local tourism, biodiversity, and the regional economy, and is set to celebrate its 250th anniversary in 2029.