Water flows in to first section of canal’s Missing Mile

Progress towards reinstating the “Missing Mile” of the Stroudwater Canal took a significant step forwards on Wednesday, March 18.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund Board of Trustees joined Cotswold Canals Connected leaders to turn on the pump to fill Oldbury Pound at Eastington near Stonehouse, Gloucestershire.

Flicking the switch on the pump means water filled a short stretch of the Stroudwater Canal known as a “pound” between John Robinson Lock and Dock Lock.

This is the first section of the Missing Mile reconstructed from scratch since part of it was filled in by M5 construction from the late 1960s.

A spokesperson for the Cotswold Canals Trust Western Depot restoration volunteers said: “For the volunteers who have worked here week after week in all weathers, turning on the pumps and seeing water return to Oldbury Pound was a very special moment. A huge amount of careful work has gone into preparing this stretch of canal, and it’s fantastic to see it filled again after so many years. It’s another important step towards restoring the Missing Mile and reconnecting the Stroudwater Navigation to the national canal network.”

Eilish McGuinness, Chief Executive, The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “This is a once‑in‑a‑generation moment for the Stroudwater Canal and we’re proud to be part of unlocking its full potential with our investment in reinstating the missing mile. From new accessible towpaths to vibrant community spaces and a flourishing wildlife corridor, this project will be connecting places, inspiring young people and creating a healthier, greener future for everyone. Thanks to National Lottery players, this ambitious, strategic project will revive globally significant industrial heritage while delivering lasting benefits for local economies, biodiversity, and people’s wellbeing, now and for generations to come.”

 Stroud District Council Leader, Chloe Turner said: “As a Council we recognise the benefits of the canal restoration in so many ways – for the environment, to communities, for heritage and to the local economy, and will enhance Stroud and Stonehouse’s reputation as canal towns once again.”

The project, led by a partnership of Stroud District Council and Cotswold Canals Trust with key partners including Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust has already restored five miles of canal between Thrupp and Eastington.

Today’s important milestone follows a major funding award of £6.46million by The National Lottery Heritage Fund towards restoring the vital Missing Mile section of the Stroudwater Canal between Eastington and Whitminster, and onwards for a total of four miles to Saul Junction.

The canal restoration is about much more than the waterway itself – alongside it a new fully accessible towpath connecting Stroud to Gloucester and Sharpness is being created, as well as a wildlife corridor linking habitats from the east to the west.

The investment will deliver major benefits to the region by reconnecting communities across the Stroud Valleys, Stonehouse, Gloucester and the Severn Vale and will boost tourism and unlock economic opportunities.

Led by Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, the Environment Programme has already transformed the canal’s natural landscape, creating a wildlife corridor with new wetlands, restoring a traditional orchard and planting new hedgerows.