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
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 .
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
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.
January 2024
