By Fraser Dahdouh

A COMPLAINT has been made about the ‘sorry state’ of the restoration works completed at the Bowbridge Lock along the Stroud Canal.

Ray Relph, Stroud resident made the complaint via the SNJ’s letters section, addressed to Cllr Steve Lydon and the Canals Trust reading: “The only people that can access this area are fully able bodied,” and that the area is only accessible by a set of ‘very steep steps from the road.’

Ray goes on to suggest that the neglect was due to the area being beyond Stroud.

However, Jon Pontefract, volunteer manager for the canal project replied: “Ray will be pleased to hear that volunteers are due to construct a step-free access ramp.”

Mr Pontefract explains in his response: “These sort of projects take time, it simply isn’t possible to create anything that meets modern access criteria within the 230 year old infrastructure at the bridge and lock, so an access ramp will be constructed from the canal towpath up to Eagle Mill Close.”

Cllr Steve Lydon also issued a response, confirming that the work by Gloucestershire County Council had been completed at Bowbridge and that the Stroud District Council are: “Awaiting the completion of the necessary legal requirements to construct the ramp from the towpath through into Eagle Mill Close.”

Cllr Lydon gave an update to the state of affairs regarding the restoration works, saying: “Last year’s dredging operation, funded by Newland Homes, could not be completed due to the ongoing bridge works – and we had been advised that the contractor would therefore clear the canal.”

He said during the depth testing under the bridge, carried out by canal volunteers: “Linda Webster was almost certainly the first person in 90 years to pass underneath Bowbridge Bridge in a boat!”

Updates and responses will be found in the letters section of the SNJ.