By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
The restoration of Stroudwater Canal has received a £1m boost in funding to replace a footbridge near Whitminster.
Gloucestershire County Council (GCC) chiefs agreed yesterday to allocate the funding to help unlock the nationally significant heritage and regeneration project led by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canal Trust.
Walk Bridge is currently a low-level road bridge owned by Shire Hall. Currently, its height prevents boats from passing beneath it.
And replacing the bridge is essential to reconnect a vital “missing mile” of the canal between Stonehouse and Saul Junction.
Once restored, the canal will form a continuous route for boating, walking, cycling and wheeling, while also bringing environmental, heritage and economic benefits to the area.
The £1 million contribution has already been approved in the County Council’s budget and forms part of a wider £16 million regeneration project led by the District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust, with significant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Construction is expected to take place over the next two to three years, subject to final approvals, with the ambition of reconnecting the canal in time for its 250th anniversary in 2029.
Highways cabinet member Joe Harris (LD, Cirencester Park) gave a passionate speech about the proposals. He said on the face of it the footbridge proposal sounds “gloriously unglamorous”.
But he said that bridge is vital for the restoration of the Stroudwater canal. “Not a bypass, not a missing link mega scheme, not something with flashing lights and a ribbon the size of the M5, a bridge,” he said.
“And yet, as I’ve discovered in this role, there is no such thing as just a bridge. Because a bridge, colleagues, is what stands between where you are and where you want to go.
“And in this case standing between us and a fully restored Stroudwater canal. A ribbon of water, history and opportunity running right through Gloucestershire.”
He said the investment supports regeneration, brings in external funding and enhances biodiversity.
Fellow cabinet member Linda Cohen (LD, Wotton-under-Edge) praised the proposal and said the canal route “is the most glorious place” and it brings together history, exercise, community, economic prosperity.
“Rather sadly what it will do is act as an incredible legacy for Stroud District Council when that marvellous, marvellous organisation is no more, despite everything they have achieved and the work of the officers and the councillors,” she said.
“There is everything there to play for. I’m so delighted about this.”
A Stroud District Council spokesperson said: “The commitment and matched funding from Gloucestershire County Council will enable the replacement of Walk Bridge which has had a restricted weight limit of 7.5 tonnes since 1999.
“The Cotswold Canals Connected project team continues to work with GCC Highways on the specification and design of the new bridge design and this will be the final project to enable reconnection to the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal at Saul Junction.”