British Waterways wants to re-open the Thames & Severn Canal,which once linked London to Bristol and the Midlands. A new reportestimates the scheme would attract 1.8million visitors a year to theCotswolds and create 500 new jobs.
The Thames & Severn once ran between Stroud, where it joinedthe Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, and Lechlade, at the limit ofThames navigation. The Cotswold Canals Trust has campaigned since1972 to protect the line of the canals and work towards restoration.Parts of the defunct waterway can still be seen, and a special bridgewas included in the Cirencester Bypass, when it opened five yearsago, to enable the canal to be restored at a later date.
“British Waterways already has experience of delivering largewaterway restoration projects across the country, including the Forth& Clyde and Union canals in Scotland and the Huddersfield NarrowCanal, and there is now the opportunity to bring the benefits ofwaterway regeneration here,” explained British Waterway chiefexecutive, Dave Fletcher.
“Waterways across the country are being restored at the same ratethey were built because they deliver widespread social, economic andenvironmental benefits to millions.”
Officials say the restoration of the Cotwold Canals would also addimpetus to other restoration schemes in the area including that forthe Wilts and Berks Canal, which would reconnect the river Thameswith the Kennet & Avon Canal via Swindon.
Anglers in the area have already got a wealth of waters to choosefrom, with the Thames, Severn and Cotswold Water park complex ofgravel pits nearby.
One consequence the new link could be the spread of zander, whichhave so far not reached the Thames and its tributaries. The Severnhas a large population of the fish.
