1 week Ago
Redevelopment on the canal that runs through Swindon is underway. In March, the Advertiser reported that the canal that runs through Swindon was granted permission for redevelopment. Wilts and Berks Canal Trust confirmed that a new contract with Swindon Borough Council had been agreed upon.
The contract will see a stretch of the canal redeveloped at Mouldon Hill in Swindon. A month later, work has begun on the stretch, seeing unwanted vines being removed from the canal. Recommended reading The Wilts and Berks Canal Trust have released a statement, saying: "The Swindon branch work party have been working on clearing the overgrown vegetation on the tow path at Mouldon Hill.
"The Canal section had not received maintenance for a couple of years, but the Trust now have a new license agreement with Swindon Borough Council. "Starting at the park (aqueduct) end of this canal stretch, the work parties have been strimming, mowing and clearing unwanted vines to give the community a much clearer path and improved path width. "We have also at the Purton Road end, assisted with clearing the flooded path and removing silt that was covering the path and covering the drain run off.
"In the longer term we will be looking to resurface the tow path and also replace the gates and fencing at either end of this stretch. "We have received new signage for the area and will be putting these up in due course and refurbishing the old signboard as a notice board. "The Trust aim to restore 70 miles of canal from Melksham to Abingdon, and several miles of this is within the Swindon boundary.
"The new section of canal that will join Wichelstowe to East Wichel is being built in stages now, and when completed, will allow much longer boat trips for the Trust boat Dragonfly. "A large-scale bank refurbishment project is planned for a mile stretch at Westleaze for later this year." The canal, which opened in the 1800s, links the Avon at Melksham to the Thames in Abingdon.
The total length of the canal is around 50 miles and can allow boats of up to 70 feet in length and seven feet in width..
