December 2011
With work underway on 6 separate sites, real progress is being made:
Stonehouse Ocean : The old swingbridge, which had long been fixed, has now been removed. The contractor will now install piles on which the new hand operated swingbridge will rest. Work is expected to be complete at the end of February.
Ebley Mill : Flood gates are being installed immediately downstream of the old access road to prevent excess water carrying on down the canal and causing problems downstream, specifically at Bridgend. Eventually, a new pedestrian swingbridge will be installed at this point by the developer.
Frome Gardens : An overflow weir between the canal and the river will enable excess water to re-enter the river in the event of a flood. The towpath will be carried on a raised walkway over the new weir. The presence of a live cable has meant that the whole structure has had to be moved slightly upstream of the planned location. Just upstream, a new weir at the confluence of the canal and river will enable river water to continue down the canal at the right level. This will remove another obstruction from the canal.
Chestnut Lane : The bridge at Chestnut Lane/Gasworks is being replaced with an electro-hydraulic swing bridge, capable of carrying 44-tonne vehicles. Access for businesses to the south of the canal will be via Dudbridge Road and Avocet Park . This work has been delayed by the need to divert services around the bridge. As a result, the bridge closure date has not been fixed, though the diversion is open.
Wallbridge Upper Lock: The Lock is being refurbished by Land & Water Ltd, who will complete work by Christmas. The old top gates have been removed and will be reused at Blunder Lock, Eastington.
Griffins Lock, Thrupp : Gardiners Construction have bunded off the lock and are constructing a temporary water bypass, enabling Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) volunteers to begin restoration. Gardiners should be off-site this week.
Inevitably, all this work means that several towpath closures are in place for safety reasons. These closures are kept to a minimum, but we recognise the inconvenience. We hope the impact of these closures is lessened by work being done over the winter and we do thank people for bearing with us.
The canal project remains very dependent on volunteer input; principally from CCT and also the regular Thursday community volunteers. Young people from the Prince's Trust have recently spent two weeks constructing a new fence bordering Ryeford Double Lock, whilst Access to Employment students from Stroud College have been helping with towpath reconstruction and vegetation clearance.
All staff now have the chance to help out on the canal. After a successful first session, the next begins at 10am on 7 th December; to be followed by 1 st February and 4 th April. Put the dates in your diary! Anyone interested should get their manager's permission and get in touch. Volunteering is carried out in work time according to the council's volunteering policy - so there's really no excuse. Anyway, it's good fun and rewarding, with different types of activity planned!!
Meanwhile, the initial bid for restoring phase 1b – the length of canal between Stonehouse Ocean and Saul Junction – has now been submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund. This would link the Stonehouse – Brimscombe length to the national canals network and is seen as vital if the restored canal is to reach its full potential. A decision on the bid is expected in April.
November 2011
It is pleasing to report that work is now well underway on 4 distinct areas of the canal:
Bridge replacement works have begun at Stonehouse Ocean , where the old bridge is being replaced with a new hand operated swing bridge. Work is expected to be complete at the end of February.
Adjacent to Ebley Mill and Frome Gardens , three pieces of work are underway:
This will have the effect of raising the canal level below Frome Gardens by up to 18” and enable Ryeford Double Lock to be made operational. It will also raise the water level as far as Wallbridge, giving the appearance of a restored canal and allowing the Stroud on Water Festival to take place next June. The Project Team is examining options regarding the channel itself.
Access for construction of the overflow weir (2) is being gained via the derelict land fronting Ebley Mill, thanks to the goodwill of both the owner and developer. This has overcome concerns raised by the residents of Frome Gardens regarding disturbance and obstruction caused by construction work.
The bridge at Chestnut Lane/Gasworks (Stroud) is being replaced with an electro-hydraulic swing bridge, capable of carrying 44-tonne vehicles. Access for businesses to the south of the canal is via Dudbridge Road and Avocet Park . November will see work beginning on refurbishing the two locks at Dudbridge.
After a short delay caused by a legal issue, work has also begun on the refurbishment of Wallbridge Upper Lock. This work was not strictly required by the general West-East progression of work, but has been brought forward due to the increasing popularity of that area. This has been brought about by the Canal Visitor Centre, the Lockkeeper's Cafe and completion of the new Stroud Brewery Bridge . The existing top gates will be removed and reused at Blunder Lock, Eastington. This contract is being carried out by Land & Water; all of those above are being delivered by Galliford Try (formerly Morrisons).
Inevitably, all this work means that several towpath closures are in place for safety reasons. These closures are kept to a minimum, but we recognise the inconvenience. We hope the impact of these closures is lessened by work being done over the winter and we do thank people for bearing with us. There is also a closure at Griffins Lock, Thrupp where Gardiners Construction have been bunding off the lock and constructing a temporary bypass, enabling Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) volunteers to begin restoration.
At Ryeford Double Lock, we have now hung six new lock gates. These gates were delivered into storage a year ago and have been watered every week to prevent them shrinking! CCT volunteers are now busy installing the various controls which enable the lock to function. The work going on at Ebley will secure a water supply to Ryeford, enabling the lock to be used from early next year.
The canal project remains very dependent on volunteer input; principally from CCT and also the regular Thursday volunteers who have come to the project straight from the community. In the office, we are pleased to welcome Liz Gay, who volunteers with us for 2 days a week. We are pleased to report that in a new partnership with Stroud College , a group of bricklaying students is now joining us once a month. The first session saw them reconstructing the steps at Ryeford Double Lock.
All staff now have the chance to help out on the canal. After a successful first session last month, the next begins at 10am on 7 th December, 1 st February and 4 th April. Put the dates in your diary! Anyone interested should get their manager's permission and get in touch. Volunteering is carried out in work time according to the council's volunteering policy - so there's really no excuse. Anyway, it's good fun and rewarding, with different types of activity planned!!
October 2011
Following a few delays, this month will see work really getting underway on the canal, after the enforced break due to the bird nesting season. Things will kick off with the contract to build new swing bridges at Ocean (Stonehouse) and Chestnut Lane/Gasworks (Stroud). The contract gets under way on 10 th October, with work being undertaken by Galliford Try (formerly Morrisons). The bridge at Ocean will be hand operated; that at Gasworks will be powered as it has to carry a much greater weight.
October will also see Galliford Try begin work on a contract to refurbish the two locks at Dudbridge and re-engineer the point at Frome Gardens where river water leaves the canal. Instead, river water will be routed down the canal, providing a robust supply from Frome Gardens downwards. This will have the effect of raising the canal level below Frome Gardens by up to 18” and enable Ryeford Double Lock to be made operational. It will also raise the water level as far as Wallbridge, giving the appearance of a restored canal and allowing the Stroud on Water Festival to take place next June. The Project Team is examining options regarding the channel itself.
The gates for Ryeford Double Lock will be hung this week, starting on Wednesday. They were originally delivered nearly a year ago and have been kept in storage since then. They have been kept wrapped in hessian and watered every week to prevent shrinkage.
The contract to refurbish Wallbridge Upper Lock in the middle of Stroud has been awarded to Land & Water Ltd. Work is again due to start this month or early next.
Meanwhile, two significant obstructions were removed from the canal during September. First to go was the bund across the canal at Oil Mills, below Ebley. Material from it has been reused at Griffins Lock, Thrupp, where bunds above and below are keeping it dry to allow volunteers to begin restoration. The second bund to be removed was that just above Ryeford Double Lock.
REACH teams continue to work on towpath upgrading at Ryeford and Stonehouse, while the Thursday volunteer group continues upgrading the towpath at Wallbridge.
All staff now have the chance to help out on the canal. The first volunteer session begins at 10am on 5 th October, followed by 7 th December, 1 st February and 4 th April. Anyone interested should get their manager's permission and get in touch. Volunteering is carried out in work time according to the council's volunteering policy - so there's really no excuse. Anyway, it's good fun and rewarding, with different types of activity planned!!
On Thursday 3 rd November at 2pm, the Museum in the Park is hosting a talk by Ken Burgin, Chief Executive of the Cotswold Canals Trust, entitled 'The Trials and Triumphs of the Thames & Severn Canal '. To book, call 01453 763394 . Cost is £4.
Restoration of the Cotswold Canals features on the BBC TV Inside Out West programme, to be screened on Monday 24 th October.
September 2011
This month will see a major increase in work on the canal project, with four contracts due to get underway. The largest of these is the £1.4m contract for structures works between Ebley and Wallbridge. This will involve reconstruction of the ‘confluence' at Frome Gardens - where the River Frome separates from the canal – and building a new overflow weir just upstream of Ebley Mill. It will also involve refurbishment of Dudbridge Upper and Lower Locks.
This work will have the effect of raising the water level as far as Wallbridge, giving the appearance of a restored canal and allowing the Stroud on Water Festival to take place next June. The Project Team is examining options regarding the channel itself.
Secondly, preliminary work will begin on constructing the new swing bridges at Stonehouse Ocean and Chestnut Lane , Stroud, with full works, including towpath and traffic diversions, beginning next month.
Thirdly, contractors will be starting work at Griffin 's Mill Lock, Thrupp to construct bunds above and below the lock, thus keeping water out. Material will also be cleared from the lock chamber itself. This work will clear the way for Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) volunteers to begin repair work on the lock. Last month, volunteers from the Waterway Recovery Group helped CCT volunteers rebuild the spill weir, which will enable water to flow around the lock.
Finally, tenders have been received for repair work to Wallbridge Upper Lock, alongside the new Lockkeeper's Cafe. The contract will be awarded shortly.
At Marling School , work to divert a sewer around the new lock bypass channel has now been completed. Volunteers also removed the school's old pedestrian footbridge last weekend – one more obstacle gone!
The start of boat trips at Stonehouse may be delayed by a lack of water depth. At present, the canal depends on river water fed in from Ryeford sluices. With the dry summer, the river level is low. The problem will be resolved once work at the Frome Gardens confluence is completed.
August 2011
The new Stroud Brewery Bridge at Merrywalks finally opened to traffic in the early hours of 21 st July, though finishing works will carry on for another couple of months. Gloucestershire County Council will then begin a public consultation exercise on the future of the diversionary route leading to/from Dr Newton's Way. An official opening, involving the canal beneath the bridge, will follow in a few months' time.
The Lockkeeper's Cafe has now opened just behind the Cotswold Canals Trust Visitor Centre and is well worth a visit. Meanwhile, tenders have been invited for repair work to Wallbridge Upper Lock, which is alongside the cafe. Completion of all this work will bring a major improvement to that part of town.
A £1.4m contract for structures works between Ebley and Wallbridge has now been awarded to Galliford Try (formerly Morrisons) Construction. This will involve reconstruction of the ‘confluence' at Frome Gardens - where the River Frome separates from the canal – and building a new overflow weir just upstream of Ebley Mill. It will also involve refurbishment of Dudbridge Upper and Lower Locks. Work is expected to start in early September.
This work will have the effect of raising the water level as far as Wallbridge, giving the appearance of a restored canal and allowing the Stroud on Water Festival to take place next June. The Project Team is examining options regarding the channel itself.
Work is underway in the Marling School playing field to divert a sewer around the new lock bypass channel, which is part of the above contract. This has been treated separately due to the need to complete during the school summer holiday.
September will also see the start of work on constructing new swing bridges at Stonehouse Ocean and Chestnut Lane, Stroud. Our hope had been that the contractor would start work this month. A third bridge at Lodgemore Lane, Stroud, has been removed from the contract as the Team examines the possibility of building a carbon-fibre composite bridge at this location; potentially enabling it to carry vehicles of over 20 tonnes but still be hand operated.
At Hilly Orchard, Cainscross, agreement has now been reached between SDC, the Environment Agency and Cainscross Parish Council over the problem of the high-level bridge, which was never built to Disability Discrimination Act standards. Instead, people with disabilities – and buggy users – have used the temporary low-level wooden bridge, which is blocking canal navigation. A planning application is about to be submitted for an extra span on the bridge, connecting to a mound and gentle ramp down to ground level.
Meanwhile, contractors will soon be starting work at Griffin 's Mill Lock, Thrupp to construct bunds above and below the lock, thus keeping water out. Material will also be cleared from the lock chamber itself. This work will clear the way for Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) volunteers to begin repair work on the lock. Last month, volunteers from the Waterway Recovery Group helped CCT volunteers rebuild the spill weir, which will enable water to flow around the lock.
Four developers have now been invited to submit bids for the redevelopment of Brimscombe Port. The bids will be assessed by a team involving the council, Stroud Valleys Canal Company (which owns the site), Brimscombe & Thrupp Parish Council and perhaps others.
Baroness Andrews, the Chair of English Heritage, paid a brief private visit last week and viewed canal restoration as well as Brimscombe Port. She went away impressed both by the challenges faced by the project and the council's approach in balancing restoration and conservation.
July 2011
Firstly, a big thank you to all those who voted for the Cotswold Canals in last week’s People’s Millions vote. Although we didn’t win, we were the highest runners-up – so we still receive nearly £57,000.The money will be used for towpath improvements, a podcast scheme and interpretation panels.
The contract for opening up the channel between Ebley to Wallbridge is now ready to be let – once planning permission has been granted and the agreement of Marling School obtained to permit the deposition of material on its former rugby pitch. The uncertainty stemming from this has led to consideration being given to splitting this contract in two and just letting the structures element go ahead. This would see the restoration of the two Dudbridge Locks and construction of a new confluence weir at Frome Gardens. The effect of the latter would be to raise the water level as far as Wallbridge, giving the appearance of a restored canal and allowing the Stroud on Water Festival to take place over the Diamond Jubilee weekend in June 2012.
The new A46 bridge at Merrywalks is now expected to open to traffic on 21st July, though finishing works will carry on for another couple of months. The culvert carrying the Slad Brook flow through the site should be removed this week – for the first time allowing water under the new bridge.
Later than planned, work will begin at the end of July on the replacement of two former swing bridges over the canal – Stonehouse Ocean and Chestnut Lane, Stroud. The contract includes a third bridge at Lodgemore Lane, Stroud, but this has been delayed by landowner issues on both sides of the canal. At Ocean, a new hand-operated swing bridge will be installed; work having been delayed to allow a wedding to take place on 30th July. Chestnut Lane will see a full 44 tonne electro-hydraulic bridge. Temporary access for businesses on the south side of Chestnut Lane will be gained across the Avocet Park site at Dudbridge and across Marling School’s former rugby pitch south of the canal.
An exciting partnership with Stroud Job Centre is in the pipeline. Unemployed persons will gain skills by voluntarily working on canal projects. In return, they will receive certificates, a reference – and something worthwhile to add to their CV. We are hoping to launch the scheme in the middle of this month. The possibility of involving Stroud College is also being examined.
June 2011
Big news for the canal project this month is that the restoration of Ryeford Double Lock earned runner –up in the Historic Environment category of the 2011 Waterways Renaissance Awards. The judges noted “ This is a major restoration of a Grade II listed double lock. The work was challenging given its large size and the complexity of subterranean culverts to control water movement in a double lock however it has been done very sensitively with a desire to keep as much as possible of the original without compromising the strength of the engineering involved.” This success is attributable to the close co-operation between the Canal Team, the contractor and the Conservation Team.
Designs for routing the canal through the Capel's Mill site are now virtually finalised and were shown to the public at a special event running from 2 nd – 4 th June. Around 500 people visited. The problem here is that Dr Newton's Way runs on the original canal line, with the added complication of steep slopes and a former rubbish tip! The proposed route will see the canal cut into the hillside produced by the landfill site and making use of the one skewed arch through the railway viaduct. Feedback forms have yet to be analysed, but the proposals seem to have been generally well received. The one issue is the diversion of the footpath from Rodborough and Butterrow, which will result in an extra walk of 200 yards with a much reduced gradient.
The contract for opening up the channel between Ebley to Wallbridge is now ready to be let – once planning permission has been granted and the agreement of Marling School obtained to permit the deposition of material on its former rugby pitch. The uncertainty stemming from this has led to consideration being given to splitting this contract in two and just letting the structures element go ahead. This would see the restoration of the two Dudbridge Locks and construction of a new confluence weir at Frome Gardens . The effect of the latter would be to raise the water level as far as Wallbridge, giving the appearance of a restored canal and allowing the Stroud on Water Festival to take place.
Near Arundel Aqueduct, just east of Stroud, a leak has now been fixed. At this point, the canal is retained by a bank, through which water wass escaping. The repair, temporary in nature, was carried out by Smiths. A permanent repair will be effected as part of the restoration works at that point in a year or so's time.
The new A46 bridge at Merrywalks is now expected to open to traffic in early July, though finishing works will carry on for another couple of months. Gloucestershire County Council will then begin a public consultation exercise on the future of the diversionary route leading to/from Dr Newton's Way. It has been announced that this bridge will be officially titled ‘ Stroud Brewery Bridge '. This will be a permanent reminder of Stroud Brewery, which once sat alongside the canal at this point, and also make it clear to boaters that they have reached the town. At Wallbridge, the old Lockkeeper's Bar behind the Cotswold Canals Trust Visitor Centre is shortly to become a cafe, operated by Wendy Townsend – who many will remember as Bar & Catering Manager at the Subscription Rooms.
Early next month, work will begin on the replacement of two former swing bridges over the canal – Stonehouse Ocean and Chestnut Lane , Stroud. The contract includes a third bridge at Lodgemore Lane , Stroud, but this has been delayed by landowner issues on both sides of the canal. At Ocean, a new hand-operated swing bridge will be installed, whilst Chestnut Lane will see a full 44 tonne electro-hydraulic bridge. Temporary access for businesses on the south side of Chestnut Lane will be gained across the Avocet Park site at Dudbridge.
May 2011
REACH's two teams are making excellent progress with the towpath upgrade. The connection between Ebley Mill and Ryeford is virtually complete, with some surface coating needed. As soon as Severn Trent is off site (see below), this section of path can be finished off. Meanwhile, the section between Stonehouse Ocean and Upper Mills Bridge is complete. The two teams will now be working towards each other from Ryeford and Upper Mills.
The contract for opening up the channel between Ebley to Wallbridge is now ready to be let – once planning permission has been granted and the agreement of Marling School obtained to permit the deposition of material on its former rugby pitch.
Designs for routing the canal through the Capel's Mill site are now virtually finalised. The problem here is that Dr Newton's Way runs on the original canal line, with the added complication of steep slopes and a former rubbish tip! There will be a public exhibition of the proposals, complete with artist's impressions, at Unit 3 Brunel Mall on Thursday 2 nd June (5pm – 8pm), Friday 3 rd June (9am – 5pm) and Saturday 4 th June (9am – 12pm).
The Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) is working to raise the necessary £300,000 to include a hydro-electric generation scheme in the restoration of Dudbridge Lower Lock. A planning application for this scheme will be submitted shortly.
As main bridge, channel and lock works get underway, the focus shifts to other issues, particularly blockages to navigation – usually in the form of pipes etc laid across the canal but not at sufficient depth. Last month, Severn Trent began the relaying of two water mains under the canal just above Ryeford Locks. Work on these should be completed this week, enabling the short section of towpath to be upgraded and reopened. Between Lodgemore and Chestnut Lane Bridges, two unauthorised privately owned pipes have finally been disconnected at rerouted at the owner's expense. The pipes themselves, which were laid above the canal, will be removed shortly.
Near Arundel Aqueduct, just east of Stroud, a leak will be stemmed imminently. At this point, the canal is retained by a bank, through which water is escaping. The repair, temporary in nature, will be carried out by Smiths. A permanent repair will be effected as part of the restoration works at that point in a year or so's time.
The new A46 bridge at Merrywalks should be open to traffic in mid-June, though finishing works will carry on for another couple of months. Gloucestershire County Council will then begin a public consultation exercise on the future of the diversionary route leading to/from Dr Newton's Way. The name for this bridge will be announced shortly. At Wallbridge, the old Lockkeeper's Bar behind the Cotswold Canals Trust Visitor Centre is shortly to become a cafe, operated by Wendy Townsend – who many will remember as Bar & Catering Manager at the Subscription Rooms.
Brimscombe Port continues to move forward. An outline planning application for redeveloping the Port area has been submitted and should be determined in late June. Meanwhile, a detailed package of information has been sent out to the 9 interested developers, along with a series of questions. The responses to these should enable a shortlist to be produced. These 3 or 4 developers will then be invited to submit tenders, from which the preferred developer will then be selected.
April 2011
As promised, further reed cutting took place at the beginning of March. This, coupled with the magnificent effort of Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers, means that we have a completely clear channel between Upper Mills and Ryeford. Although this section looks like a canal for the first time in many years, it does need to be dredged. This work was due to start last month, but consent is still awaited from the Environment Agency.
Work starts this week on laying an upgraded towpath over 700m between Ocean and Stonehouse Bridge ( Downton Road ). This will be at least 2m wide wherever possible, with a recycled hardcore surface looking like gravel. The work will be undertaken by Reach – an organisation giving skills to the long-term unemployed and community payback offenders. This will inevitably mean temporary closures of the towpath and some inconvenience to users. We will make every effort to keep this to a minimum and we will try to close the path at appropriate points - so that someone doesn't walk a fair distance only to find that the path is closed and has to turn back!
Tenders for the construction of the bridge have been received from six contractors. However, before formally awarding the contract, it has been necessary to enter into negotiations to develop the most cost effective and efficient way to deliver the project. There will therefore be short delay in the start of the work but it still remains possible to reopen the A46 in time for the Christmas period. The successful contractor will hopefully be announced this week.
British Telecom works associated with the scheme are still ongoing. Unfortunately these are taking longer than expected due to problems with the thickness of surfacing encountered that they have had to break through in order to lay new cable ducts. A further two weekends are required in order to complete work; this will mean that duct laying will take place on the double mini roundabouts outside the Stroud & Swindon Building Society on Saturday and Sunday 10 th & 11 th and 17 th & 18 th April.
Treatment of Giant Hogweed along the length of the canal will start as soon as we get some dry, not too windy weather. This is being carried out by a specialist contractor. Giant Hogweed is a non-native invasive species whose sap can cause severe blisters.
We are currently talking to producers of BBC's Countryfile programme with a view to featuring the canal. Filming will hopefully take place next week, with screening at the end of April.
March 2011
With plenty to report again, we will move in order from west to east.
Dredging, by Land & Water, has been ongoing throughout February. There have been a couple of hiccups, with the breakdown of the screening machine, however generally it has run smoothly. So far nothing interesting has been discovered in the silt from the canal, just the expected shopping trolleys, road signs and bike parts. We are about 75% through the dredging for this section of the canal, currently the barge is between Stonehouse Bridge and Nutshell Bridge . Work should be complete by mid March, when around 2200m 3 of silt will have been removed.
REACH, who currently have two teams undertaking the towpath upgrade, have almost connected Ryeford Lock to Ebley Mill, whilst the other REACH team is heading east from Downton Road .
We are still waiting for dates from Severn Trent Water to rerouting two water mains at Ryeford to run beneath the canal. Tenders for Ebley to Wallbridge widening works have been received and contractors will be engaged shortly.
At Oil Mills, Ebley, preparations for the removal of the bund are well underway. Tenders have been returned, a contractor should be engaged shortly and hopefully the bund will be removed in the next couple of months.
The Cotswold Canals Trust (CCT) is still working to raise the necessary £300,000 to include a hydro-electric generation scheme in restoration of Dudbridge Lower Lock.
CCT volunteers have continued clearing both faces and the canal banks at Arundel Aqueduct, as well as clearing a number of fallen trees. An intermediate inspection of the aqueduct has been undertaken which has identified a leak through the embankment. Plans are underway to temporarily repair it.
CCT volunteers have also continued to clear vegetation at Ham Mill Lock and Capel Mill. Meanwhile, volunteers from the community are constructing a new path to link the towpath to Dr Newton's Way, to allow engineering works to commence at Capel Mill. These popular ‘drop in' volunteer sessions take place on Thursdays, meeting at the Canal Visitor Centre (Wallbridge) at 10am.
The Canal Team has sent out invitations to 28 developers with regards lodging an interest in the Brimscombe Port development. By the deadline we had received expressions of interest from 8; actually an excellent return rate given that we gave far more information out than would normally be the case. Discussions are ongoing, and we will hopefully be able to announce a favourable agreement with a preferred developer in the not too distant future.
Schools are showing increasing interest in the canal project, which provides cross-curricular learning opportunities in terms of history, science, environment and geography. The Cotswold Canals Knowledge project has initially focused on primary schools at Key Stage 2 level, but now we are promoting the canal in secondary schools and to Duke of Edinburgh Award participants.
