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County council set to back key bridge project to unlock Cotswold canal restoration

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Gloucestershire County Council is set to support a major step forward in the restoration of the Stroudwater Canal by approving a £1 million contribution towards replacing Walk Bridge near Whitminster.
Walk Bridge Near Whitminster

The decision will be considered by Cabinet on Wednesday 22 April and would help unlock a nationally significant heritage and regeneration project led by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canal Trust. The cabinet decision will also allow the county council to consider options on how best to support Stroud District Council with the delivery of the project. 

Walk Bridge is currently a low-level road bridge owned by the county council. Its height prevents boats from passing beneath it. Replacing the bridge is essential to reconnect a vital “missing mile” of the canal between Stonehouse and Saul Junction. 

Once restored, the canal will form a continuous route for boating, walking, cycling and wheeling, while also bringing environmental, heritage and economic benefits to the area. 

The £1 million contribution has already been approved in the county council’s 2025–26 budget and forms part of a wider £16 million regeneration project led by Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canal Trust, with significant funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. The county council’s funding is capped and would only be released once legal agreements are in place and all conditions are met. 

Replacing Walk Bridge would support the council’s wider economic and climate goals by connecting the canal sections, improving active travel routes, strengthening green infrastructure and helping deliver long-term biodiversity and environmental improvements. 

Construction is expected to take place over the next two to three years, subject to final approvals, with the ambition of reconnecting the canal in time for its 250th anniversary in 2029. 

Jason Humm, Director of Transport and Highways at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Replacing Walk Bridge is a crucial piece of the jigsaw in restoring and connecting the Stroudwater Canal. This investment helps unlock major external funding while supporting active travel, heritage, nature recovery and local regeneration. It’s an excellent example of the county council playing its part in a partnership project that delivers long-term benefits for communities across Gloucestershire.”