Towpath Challenge

Read more: Towpath Challenge  January 2024

The Wiltshire Swindon & Oxfordshire Canal Partnership has agreed that delivering the Wilts & Berks Canal towpath ahead of the restoration of the waterway  is now a top priority. The Partnership has set up a task group to look at specific projects in the three Local Authority areas and during 2024 the first of these projects will be announced. The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has appointed This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. as Project Leader  to revive interest in creating a walking and cycling using the route of the canal .

The Long Distance Walkers Association has created a walking route using the parts of  the towpath that are currently accessible and linking these via other Public Rights of Way

 Wilts and Berks Canal Towpath - LDWA Long Distance Paths

Please note that many parts of the Wilts & Berks Canal route are privately owned and not accessible   

Wiltshire Council Local Plan Consultation

Jan 2024

Thank you  if if contributed to the 2023 Local Plan consultation . Submissions are being considered before  the final version is completed and considered at a Local Plan Enquiry 

 

Swindon Wichelstowe Canal Extension Plans

Oct 2022

Wichelstowe LLP, the developer behind the Wichelstowe development, is seeking permission from Swindon Borough Council to connect an existing section of the Wilts and Berks canal in the District Centre with the waterway in East Wichel.

Here are some of the details

 

Inland Waterways Association

October 2022

The Inland Waterways Association has announced a new campaign and report highlighting the wide range of benefits of waterways restoration.

Waterways for Today is available to download from the IWA website via this link

Waterways in Progress

Om 30th March the Inland Waterways Association published the Waterways in Progress report . This report looks at how every part of the restoration has an intrinsic value  before the whole restoration is completed .

You can download the report here

The accompanying video is introduced by David Suchet

 

Swindon Canalside Wichelstowe

March 2019

The canal is refilled and awaiting further tests before full reopening in May

 

 

 

Read more: Swindon Canalside Wichelstowe

The new footbridge is installed

Read more: Swindon Canalside Wichelstowe

February 2019  Hall & Woodhouse Pub opens

Read more: Swindon Canalside Wichelstowe

Read more: Swindon Canalside Wichelstowe

 

October 2018

Work is progressing on the canal adjacent to the newly built Hall & Woodhouse pub

The canal is expected to be re-watered here early in 2019

Read more: Swindon Canalside Wichelstowe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can find about more about Canalside from The Wichelstowe project web site by clicking here

 

 

Studley Grange Opening Ceremony

On July 4th 2018 the Studley Grange section of the canal was officially opened

You can see the whole opening ceremony as broadcast on Facebook Live here

 

You can see more about this project here

Wichelstowe District Centre Design Code

Swindon Borough Council have published the Wichelstowe District Centre Design Code for Public Consultation. The canal is a central feature of the design code . Click here for more information- the consultation closed on 17th January 2017  .

Details of the canal works in Middle Wichel are shown below  are the work which received planning approval in June 2017 is expected to start in the autumn

Read more: Wichelstowe District Centre Design Code

Studley Grange Progress September 2015

In June 2015  the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust appointed Land & Water Services Ltd to carry out the 1.2km of restoration works at Studley Grange Royal Wootton Bassett on the outskirts of Swindon. On September 10th 2015 members of the Wiltshire Swindon and Oxfordshire Canal Partnership were invited to see progress. The short video shows the towpath now fully reinstated and work just beginning to excavate the canal bed.

Peoples Millions

The Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has been selected as a finalist in this year's Big Lottery Fund  Peoples’ Millions. The Studley Wildlife Trail will appear on ITV on 26th November and will compete against another project for the chance of winning £50K depending on a telephone vote on the night

You  can find out more about  the proposed Wildlife Trail at Studley Grange Royal Wootton Bassett and add your support now by clicking here.

The derelict canal at Studley Grange will be restored to provide a wildlife corridor and will include a bee and insect friendly wildflower trail.

Read more: Peoples Millions