After six years of planning, preparation and sheer determination, the Cotswold Canals Trust has announced that construction has officially begun on the Missing Mile — one of the biggest milestones yet in the restoration of these historic waterways.
Following planning permission granted in 2024, the Trust’s engineering team, led by Chief Engineer Rob Benson, has worked alongside National Highways, the Environment Agency, Natural England, Stroud District Council and local landowners to secure the permissions and technical approvals needed for this nationally important project. Recent enabling works have set up a site compound and haul road and prepared the future canal corridor for excavation.
Volunteer excavation teams have now started digging roughly 750 metres of new canal, stretching east from John Robinson Lock towards the M5. Once finished, the stretch will boast a new navigable channel, flood banks, a towpath and a brand-new lock. Topsoil, subsoil, clay and gravel are all being carefully separated for reuse — much of it destined for new flood banks and a raised towpath, with the growing spoil heap already affectionately nicknamed “Mount Oldbury”.
A temporary, clearly signed towpath diversion is in place around the active construction area, so do follow the marked route if you’re walking through. It’s a thrilling new chapter for the restoration — and one to watch as the canal gradually takes shape. Read the Trust’s full update here.
