Phase 3
Phase 3 – Brimscombe to Spine Road Bridge
The Phase 3 restoration section of the Cotswold Canals is between Brimscombe Port, near Stroud, to Spine Road Bridge at the Cotswold Lakes.
The length of the Phase 3 restoration section is about
16 miles (25.6 km).
Some of the restoration achievements to date on this section include:
– The restoration of both portals of Sapperton Tunnel: one completed in 1977 (Coates) and the other in 1996 (Daneway).
– Boxwell Springs Lock (1995, structure only)
– Wildmoorway Lower Lock (1998, structure only)
– Halfway Bridge, Ewen (1998)
– Cowground Bridge, Siddington (2014)
[Reproduced by permission of English Heritage]
A key focus has been the preservation of traditional humpback bridges, with two fully restored on this section to maintain the canal’s historic character. Lengths of the canal have been cleared and maintained, and volunteers continue to care for five miles of towpath between Siddington and Latton, ensuring the route remains accessible and inviting for walkers, cyclists, and visitors.
Some significant challenges on this section of canal include:
– Restoration of the 2.2 mile (3.5 km) long Sapperton Canal Tunnel
– Replacement of the demolished (Smerrill) aqueduct near Ewen
– Twenty-one locks to restore between Brimscombe Port and Sapperton Canal Tunnel
– Ten locks to restore between Sapperton Canal Tunnel and Spine Road Bridge
– Reinstatement of two railway bridges in the Stroud Valley
Did you know?
We have an Eastern Depot of volunteers based in Driffield.
Would you like to be part of our eastern volunteering team?