A new wetland area is being created which will attract wildlife and boost tourism as part of the Cotswold Canals Connected project.
The Fromebridge Biodiversity Project of wetlands area and wildlife ponds between the Stroudwater Canal and River Frome south of Whitminster will provide new feeding grounds for migratory birds and will feature a bird hide with a multi-user accessible towpath so that everyone can get closer to nature, enjoy the tranquillity of the canal and explore the canal’s heritage.
A Planning Application has been submitted which extends the canal restoration to the west of the “Missing Mile” and includes the creation of two water vole ponds, a wetlands area, lowering of the River Frome flood bank in two locations, creation of two flood bunds, levelling of the canal towpath bank, construction of a multi-user canal towpath and an accessible bird hide. This project will be completed by volunteers from the Cotswold Canals Trust and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust once planning approval has been granted.
This project is the largest biodiversity project being undertaken on the Cotswold Canals Connected Phase 1B project which is part-funded by the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Generous donations from organisations, charitable trusts and private donors will also fund the work plus recent grants from:
- the Association for Industrial Archaeology and two private family trusts to fund the restoration of Occupation Bridge
- the Summerfield Trust towards the new bird hide
- the Rowlands Trust
Dependent on securing planning approval and raising the funds required, work on these projects is expected to start before the end of this year.
Stroud District Council Leader Catherine Braun said: “Stroud District Council is committed to restoration of the canal, promoting tourism and protecting and enhancing our environment, so we’re very excited to be part of this canal biodiversity project at Fromebridge.”
The Fromebridge Biodiversity Project is one of the key Cotswold Canals Connected environmental projects to reconnect the Stroudwater Canal to the national canal network at Saul Junction (Phase 1B). Stroud District Council and The Cotswold Canals Trust are the co-leading this project with the Canal Environment Programme led by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. This is the largest canal restoration project in the country and our principal funder, the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has set five outcomes for the project:
- Create a sense of place through renovating and enhancing our heritage
- Conserve, protect and enhance wildlife by creating and improving habitats
- Broaden opportunities to a wider audience
- Create and strengthen pathways for heritage education and learning by improving access
- Build prosperous and connected communities
On Thursday 8 August, Cotswold Canals Connected held an event for volunteers and various stakeholders to celebrate the work that has been achieved as part of the project so far, and to give more information about the upcoming works on the wetland and restoration of Dock Lock. The MP for Stroud, Dr Simon Opher, attended as well as the Leader of Stroud District Council, Catherine Braun and Mark Hurrell DL, High Sheriff of Gloucestershire.
Work has been taking place in Eastington to start shaping the profile of the canal channel and Dock Lock is set to be further restored. At the celebration event “stop planks” were lowered by VIPs to signal the start of this, this means the pound will slowly refill with water and further restoration work to the West can begin. This lock links the restored section of the canal from the Stonehouse direction with the “Missing Mile” project towards the A38 roundabout. Beyond the A38 roundabout is where the Fromebridge Wetlands Project will be – part of this has already started and part is awaiting planning consent.
This is a strategic project for the district which will create a wildlife corridor along the length of the canal from the Severn Estuary Special Protection Area (SPA) at Saul through to Stonehouse. The project has acquired 21 hectares (52 acres) of agricultural land specifically to support biodiversity and the environment. This will enable the creation of two new wetlands areas: the first of these will be at Fromebridge as detailed and the second will be south of the River Frome as part of the “Missing Mile” planning application which was formally approved for development on 7th June 2024.
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