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Cotswold Canals
The Cotswold Canals is a generic name for two waterways: the Stroudwater Navigation, which runs eight miles from Upper Framilode on the River Severn to Wallbridge Junction at Stroud, and the Thames & Severn Canal which continues on for 29 miles to the River Thames near Lechlade.
The Stroudwater Navigation opened in 1779 and provided a transport service for the woollen mills in the Stroud area. After 1827 it was possible for boats to reach Gloucester more easily following the opening of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal which was crossed at Saul Junction. The canal was, and still is, managed by the Company of Proprietors who also had considerable property interests. Nevertheless, the decline in trade suffered by all canals in the first half of the 20th century resulted in official abandonment in 1954.
The Thames and Severn Canal had a more chequered history. It was a difficult engineering proposition and, when completed, there were 44 locks and a long tunnel at Sapperton. Water shortages were a perennial problem and the canal closed in 1893. It did eventually reopen but the last fully laden boat to pass over the summit level was recorded in 1911 and by 1933 the canal had been officially abandoned.
That might have been the end of the story with, by now, the entire length filled in and obliterated. However, in 1972 the Stroudwater Canal Society was formed with the intention of restoring navigation – an idea not then supported by the Company of Proprietors. The society soon extended its interest to include the Thames & Severn Canal and became known as Cotswold Canals Trust in 1990. As with most canal restoration schemes, progress is slow depending on the availability of funding and volunteer labour, as well as numerous other obstacles including uncooperative landowners. Nevertheless, the canals are now navigable in the Stroud area and funding has been made available to reopen the stretch between Saul Junction and Stonehouse which entails crossing a railway and two major roads. A significant step forward in December 2021 saw the replacement of a culvert with a bridge under the Bristol – Gloucester railway.
The Stroudwater Navigation opened in 1779 and provided a transport service for the woollen mills in the Stroud area. After 1827 it was possible for boats to reach Gloucester more easily following the opening of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal which was crossed at Saul Junction. The canal was, and still is, managed by the Company of Proprietors who also had considerable property interests. Nevertheless, the decline in trade suffered by all canals in the first half of the 20th century resulted in official abandonment in 1954.
The Thames and Severn Canal had a more chequered history. It was a difficult engineering proposition and, when completed, there were 44 locks and a long tunnel at Sapperton. Water shortages were a perennial problem and the canal closed in 1893. It did eventually reopen but the last fully laden boat to pass over the summit level was recorded in 1911 and by 1933 the canal had been officially abandoned.
That might have been the end of the story with, by now, the entire length filled in and obliterated. However, in 1972 the Stroudwater Canal Society was formed with the intention of restoring navigation – an idea not then supported by the Company of Proprietors. The society soon extended its interest to include the Thames & Severn Canal and became known as Cotswold Canals Trust in 1990. As with most canal restoration schemes, progress is slow depending on the availability of funding and volunteer labour, as well as numerous other obstacles including uncooperative landowners. Nevertheless, the canals are now navigable in the Stroud area and funding has been made available to reopen the stretch between Saul Junction and Stonehouse which entails crossing a railway and two major roads. A significant step forward in December 2021 saw the replacement of a culvert with a bridge under the Bristol – Gloucester railway.
Created: Sun, 6 Feb 2022, Updated: Sun, 6 Feb 2022
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