Advance for Cotswold Canals

WITH the financial problems at present causing a halt to many restorations, the Cotswold Canals restoration is still proceeding, albeit very slowly.

Work on the Brewery Bridge in Stroud, though delayed, has now been completed, with the canal now in water.

Difficulties

It has taken a year to complete the work, that was fraught with difficulties owing to the diversions of the A46 whilst the bridge was being constructed.

The bridge had originally been due to open last November, but building work on the £1.8m construction was delayed because of  an unexpected excavation at its base.

The Cotswold Canals restoration will eventually reconnect the Thames with the Severn, but many have doubts about it, and even British Waterways withdrew from the project.