There is something quietly moving about seeing an old structure given a fresh lease of life — and the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust has just shared a lovely “before and after” from Westleaze in Swindon.
The aqueduct, built around 1803, is a treasured piece of Swindon’s canal heritage. Swindon Borough Council, working in partnership with the Trust and with contractor Griffiths carrying out the work, has now completed the renovation. The facing wall has been finished in local lias stone and the far wall in good-quality brick, keeping the whole structure sympathetic to its original build.
Branch Chair Chloe Ford said the aqueduct is “now safe and ready to support the canal upon its re-opening in the near future,” with bank repairs and towpath improvements still to come. She thanked Griffiths for “an amazing job delivered exceptionally well,” and cheered the parallel progress on the Wichelstowe extension, calling it “a celebratory time for Swindon” and urging the whole community to get behind the project.
It is exactly the kind of careful, community-minded work that keeps our canals alive for the next generation — congratulations to everyone involved. You can see the before-and-after and read the Trust’s own update here: wbct.org.uk.
