Work begins on the Cotswold Canals Missing Mile Project

The Missing Mile Project forms part of the wider Cotswold Canals Connected programme and aims to reconnect the historic Cotswold Canals to the national inland waterway network.

Supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the project will help link the restored Stroudwater Navigation with the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal, bringing the vision of a fully navigable canal another significant step closer.

David Hagg, chair of trustees at the Cotswold Canals Trust, said: "The start of construction on the Missing Mile is a truly historic moment for the Cotswold Canals Trust and everyone who has supported this remarkable restoration over many years.

CCT volunteers working on the Missing Mile with chair of trustees David Hagg, Dr Simon Opher MP, Member of Parliament for Stroud and Stuart McLeod, director of England – London & South, The National Lottery Heritage Fund (Image: Matt Bigwood)

Work begins on the missing mile project (Image: Matt Bigwood)

"It represents the culmination of countless hours of planning, engineering and partnership working, but above all it reflects the extraordinary commitment of our volunteers, partners and supporters."

Planning permission was secured in June 2024.

Since then, the project team has worked with National Highways, the Environment Agency, Natural England, Stroud District Council, and landowners to secure the necessary permissions, licences, and agreements.

The River Frome has been successfully diverted through an existing culvert beneath the M5, allowing work to begin on the canal section under the motorway.

Stroud District Council is serving as principal contractor, working with specialist contractors to deliver the scheme.

Enabling works have included setting up a site compound and haul road, as well as preparing the canal corridor.

Volunteer teams have begun excavating around 750 metres of new canal, extending east from John Robinson Lock towards the M5.

The new section will ultimately include flood banks, a new towpath, and two new locks.

Chris Mitford-Slade, project director for Cotswold Canals Connected, said: "Building a new canal through the Missing Mile with two new locks, a mooring basin, and the construction of a new canal channel in the River Frome is no small feat.

"This project provides a blue-green corridor under the M5 for the first time since 1969, reconnecting communities and bringing benefits to a wide range of people."

To ensure public safety during construction, the footpath alongside the south bank of the River Frome has been temporarily closed.

A signed diversion route has been provided through the Missing Mile site.