THIS week a £9.8 million bid is being submitted to the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the restoration of four miles of canal between Stonehouse and Saul Junction.

If successful, Stroud and Stonehouse would become canal towns once again, bringing with it a number of investment and regeneration opportunities.

The Stonehouse to Thrupp stretch has already been transformed, places that used to be best avoided are attracting locals and visitors alike.

Otters, kingfishers and many other species are now a common sight.

But it’s not only nature that the canal is bringing to the area, the first stretch has also brought £113 million of private investment.

If the SDC and their partners’ bid is successful, then the boaters and visitors that the investment would bring are expected to benefit the area by £5 million a year.

How wonderful to see a project with large ecological and community benefits being given such tremendous public support.

Together with an experienced team of volunteers and professionals it really does feel like we could make this happen.

This is a significant opportunity for the canal, and the region, let’s hope that the HLF shares our vision.