Public urged to vote for award-nominated canal project

A newly completed canal bridge near Stonehouse has been shortlisted for a prestigious engineering award, and local people are being asked to help it win.

Bonds Mill Lift Bridge is a finalist in the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West People's Choice Aard, with the winner decided entirely by public vote.

The bridge marks another major milestone in the restoration of the Cotswold canals.

The first boats to pass through belonged to Cotswold Boatmobility, a local charity that provides accessible boat trips for people who might not otherwise be able to enjoy being on the water. Their passage through the bridge demonstrated the opportunities the restored canal can create for local communities.

The nomination follows a previous win for the canal restoration partnership in 2022, when the Ocean Jubilee Railway Bridge project was voted People's Choice Award winner. The canal team is hoping local support can help secure a second victory.

Stroud District Council Leader, Cllr Chloe Turner said: "I’m delighted that the newly installed Bonds Mill Lift Bridge has been recognised and nominated for this award. The bridge is an important milestone in the restoration of the Stroudwater canal and is a fantastic example of engineering excellence, partnership working, and our shared commitment to restoring our historic waterways while protecting wildlife."

"The public helped the Cotswold Canals Connected partnership win the People's Choice Award in 2022 and we're hoping they can do the same again this year. Every vote will help showcase the progress being made by the council and our partners to restore the canal and the benefits it brings to the wider community."

The new bridge replaces the previous structure at Bonds Mill and reinstates navigation using a single-beam lifting arm.

Throughout construction, access to the Bonds Mill Estate and canal towpath remained open, allowing businesses and visitors to continue using the area with minimal disruption. The project was carefully designed to protect the local environment. The project was carefully planned so the canal could remain full of water during construction, helping to protect established habitats and wildlife.

Historic features, including the canal-side pillbox, were also preserved, while parts of the original bridge foundations were reused, reducing waste.

The shortlist recognises civil engineering projects that have delivered significant benefits to local communities through innovation, sustainability and collaboration.

The Bonds Mill Lift Bridge is one of 12 projects from across the South West competing for the public vote. To vote for Bonds Mill Lift Bridge, visit: https://www.ice.org.uk/about-us/ice-near-you/uk/ice-south-west/awards/peoples-choice-voting

Voting closes at 5pm on Friday 28 August 2026.

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