Stroudwater Navigation Ebley to Wallbridge

Section 1 - Lockham to Whitminster Wharf (A38)

                               2c Ocean - Ryeford Double Lock

This length of canal was the subject of a major flood relief scheme shortly after the canal was abandoned and is now classed as "main river" by the Environment Agency. The water level is far lower than the original operating level and can be shallow in places. It can be navigated by canoes with care when prevailing circumstances provide sufficient but not excessive water. Those choosing to navigate this section do so entirely at their own risk and the Company cannot be held responsible for users misjudging the suitability of this length for use.

	At present, the available length commences just west of the recently rebuilt Oil Mills Bridge. The canal past Ebley Mill and beyond where tipping resulted in the canal being infilled some 30 years ago has now largely been re-excavated with a good depth of water.  However, the sections are not yet linked together so some portaging is required.
	East of Ebley Mill, at Fromebridge Gardens,  the canal has been converted into a flood relief channel and water passing down the canal is discharged into the River Frome. From here to Stroud, the canal water level is well below that of the original navigation. Eventually, the whole length to Ryeford Double Lock will be cleared and the water level increased to permit full navigation again.
	A little upstream of Ebley, an area is reached where there has been major redevelopment on both sides of the canal. The canal is crossed by temporary foot bridge then a pipe at the location of Hilly Orchard Bridge has been rebuilt but awaaits a ramp to facilitate disabled access.
	The canal continues eastwards towards Dudbridge where a new bridge carries the A419 dual carriage way over the canal with full navigation
	An hand operated crane still survives on what was the old Dudbridge wharf.
	Immediately beyond the bridge is Dudbridge Lower Lock and it is necessary to portage round this and the nearby Dudbridge Upper Lock . The two locks at Dudbridge have had their top gates replaced with concrete dams about 1m below the original water level. This work was carried out when the canal was modified to become a  flood relief channel. The canal carries the flows from Slad Brook and the Painswick Stream with Ruscombe brook joining the canal between the two Dudbridge locks, In times of flood, the flows down the canal can be considerable and most winters see periods of high flows making navigation unwise. When the canal is restored, a large bywash weir will be needed to carry the surplus water around these locks. A hydro power scheme is planned to use the spare water flowing around these locks.
	The canal presses on towards Stroud and the next road crossing is at Chestnut Lane where a former swing bridge has been fixed. Most small craft should be able to pass underneath but particular care is needed in times of higher flow.
	Lodgemoor Bridge is another former swing bridge and is unusual in that it is also a skew bridge. It is also the last bridge over the Stroudwater before its terminus is reached at Wallbridge. As Stroud is approached, the Painswick Stream enters on the north bank. This used to be navigable for a short distance at one time. Immediately upstream of this confluence is a low weir across the canal.
	The Thames & Severn Canal leaves the Stroudwater Canal at Wallbridge on the north bank. The Stroudwater Navigation used to terminate in a basin just beyond this point but it has been filled in and is now occupied by various businesses. The original red brick warehouse still stands on the north side as does the former headquarters building of the Company of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation just beyond it - this is best viewed from either the T&S Canal towpath or the main road.
	Some of the western sections of the T&S Canal between Stroud and Chalford are suitable for navigation by small craft. The section to Brimscombe Port is also part of the current Phase 1A restoration programme. The section from Brimscombe to Chalford is mainly still owned by Gloucestershire County Council who took over the operation of the T&S Canal over a century ago. Some lengths are still in water but sometimes reeded over.

Section 2 - Meadow Mill to Ryeford Double Lock          Thames & Severn Canal Description and Pictures

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