By Carmelo Garcia – Local Democracy Reporter
Gloucester Docks’ silt crisis was raised in Parliament this week as a £4m dredging programme gets underway aiming to restore navigation depths.
Silt levels have risen to a point where boats are completely surrounded by it and gulls can be seen walking in the Main Basin.
In recent years, the build-up of silt has got progressively worse, making it difficult for vessels to access the Docks.
The main cause of silt ingress is due to water being pumped from the River Severn into The Docks to supply Bristol with around half of its drinking water.
The Canal and River Trust has a long-term contract with Bristol Water, which is not deemed to be very favourable for the waterways charity.
City MP Alex McIntyre raised the issue in Parliament this week and spoke of the “rather rare sight” of “seagulls, seemingly walking on water in Gloucester Docks”.
“Now I’m not aware of any divine intervention but we have had a very dry summer and an unprecedented silt build up,” he said on October 29.
“Canal and River Trust have started a £4m dredging programme but I’m concerned in the long-term we are going to keep seeing this problem build up again, again and again as the dry summers continue.
“So, will the leader of the house, give a debate in Government time on how we can get water companies like Bristol Water who pump water out of our canal system, pay the fair share to uphold and maintain the historic docks in Gloucester.”
Sir Alan Campbell MP, leader of the House of Commons, said he would make sure the relevant minister heard his concerns but he may want to seek a debate.
“I understand that the current water supply agreement between Bristol Water and the Canal and River Trust is due to be renewed in 2028 and that there are ongoing conversations regarding dredging and managing silt in Gloucester Docks,” he said.
The Canal and River Trust said earlier this week that it has started a major £4 million dredging programme for the Docks and Gloucester and Sharpness Canal to restore navigation depths and tackle the impact of significant silt build-up caused by recent drought conditions.
The work is the second phase of a recovery dredge following exceptionally dry summers in 2025 and 2026, when silt entered the Docks while water was pumped from the River Severn to operate the canal, support shipping at Sharpness and maintain supplies for Bristol Water.
The charity has been able to increase its planned investment, with the latest programme doubling from £2 million to £4 million. This is on top of the 2025 programme which removed 37,000 tonnes of silt at a cost of £2.5 million.
Ben Cottam, regional director for Wales and South West at Canal and River Trust, said: “We are pleased to have the dredging programme underway.
“Once it has progressed up the canal it will target the main basin, the canal approach to Llanthony Bridge and the arm leading into Victoria Basin. The dredging team will also remove silt build-up around the water point used by boaters on the Llanthony Pontoons.
“We know how important Gloucester Docks is to the local community, businesses and visitors, and this investment will help ensure it remains a thriving destination and navigable waterway.
“Alongside restoring depths across the Docks, we are also focused on the long term and are exploring ways to further reduce the amount of silt entering from the River Severn.
“We look forward to delivering this programme and the positive difference it will make. We will continue to engage with stakeholders, boaters, and the local community, keeping them informed of progress throughout.”
The dredging is being carried out by contractors Land and Water. And the trust says dredged material will be transported by hopper barges to a disposal site at Parkend, where it will be prepared for beneficial use on agricultural land. Material unsuitable for reuse will be taken to recycling centres.
Navigation through Gloucester Docks will remain temporarily closed while dredging is undertaken and will reopen once sufficient depths have been restored.