New bridge for canal restoration

Contractors are being invited to tender for the work

A new canal bridge is to be built at Upper Mills near Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, as part of the Stroudwater canal restoration plan.

It will replace a steel swing bridge, built in the 1920s.

The bridge, which will be 2m higher than the existing one, and 6m wide, provides access to the Upper Mills Industrial Estate from the A419.

Work will also take place to divert a section of the canal to maintain its depth so barges can then pass through.

It is expected work will start towards the end of the year and contractors are being invited to tender for the work.

To construct the new bridge to fit in with the existing road layout means the canal needs to be diverted to the north of the existing cut by approximately 6m.

The work is being organised by the Cotswold Canals Trust and Stroud District Council as part of the Phase 1a Heritage Lottery-funded restoration of part of the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames and Severn Canal.