Categories
Dig Report

Cotswold Canals, March 2020

A weekend of tree management and scrub clearance at Whitminster with WRG Forestry.

Joint dig with WRG Forestry, tree removal at Whitminster, Cotswold Canals western end

7/8 March 2020
The river Frome, left, heading towards Saul; and the original canal line, right, heading towards Whitminster (March 2019)

Our March dig was a joint weekend with the WRG Forestry group, working to clear vegetation from the line of the River Frome at the far west end of the Cotswolds Canals. Originally the canal crossed the river by aqueduct, but changes in river line, level and flood defences since the canal closed means this is no longer possible.

Instead, the restored canal will join the river to link the short section already in water from the junction with the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal at Saul, and the original canal line heading off past Whitminster. This is a critical link in Phase 1b of the restoration project, linking Stroud back to the main canal system at Saul.

Jon Pontefract of Stroud District Council and the Cotswolds Canals Trust gives a good account of the weekend here:

Our thanks to Jon for hosting us once again, to Ed for organising and to WRG Forestry for joining us.. or letting us join them!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *