Sou'Wester 201 - January to April 2026

Sou'Wester

The Cotswold Canals Connected community got together to celebrate the major National Lottery Heritage Fund announcement in November 2025. Photo shows representatives from Cotswold Canals Trust, Stroud District Council and Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. See page 5.

January - April, 2026 Issue 201 IWA South West and South Wales Region

South West and South Wales Region Committees South West & South Wales Region Committee Chair: Hannah Rigley* Hon. Secretary: Paul Thomas* Sou'Wester Editor: Sandy Wright* Navigation Committee Representative: Paul Thomas*

Members:

Baz Juniper Roger Morgan* Joe Taplin*

Avon & Wiltshire Branch Committee Branch currently inactive. If you are interested in any committee positions for this branch, please contact Hannah Rigley

Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Branch Committee Chairman: Roger Morgan* Hon. Secretary: Tony Higgins* If you are interested in any other committee positions for this Branch, please contact Roger Morgan or Tony Higgins.

South Wales Branch Committee Chair: Hon. Secretary: Hon. Treasurer:

Joe Taplin Anne Thomas* Vacant

Member: Lewis Rigley

West Country Branch Committee Vice Chair: Hon. Secretary: Hon. Treasurer:

Mike Slade* Vacant Mike Aldridge

Members:

*Contact details for these appear inside the back cover.

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Maurice Pinner Pat Robinson

Region Chair Welcome to Sou'Wester no. 201! This issue showcases the huge variety of activities that have taken place across our region lately.

I am delighted that the future of the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal has been safeguarded for the next five years, as you can read on page 7. This success is the result of tireless campaigning by IWA members working alongside local communities, businesses and the key organisations. It was wonderful to end 2025 with such positive news, giving local boaters and businesses the confidence to plan ahead.

Last autumn, I was sorry to miss the launch of the film celebrating Langport's river generation project (page 9) - another fantastic example of how IWA members and communities collaborate with partner organisations to deliver projects that benefit thousands of people.

This project was helped along the way by IWA’s Waterways Recovery Group (WRG). Its practical restoration work is also noted on page 12, where volunteers helped on the Neath Canal. If you're interested in taking part in WRG canal camps, the details of its 2026 programme can be found at www.waterways.org.uk/waterways/sites/waterway-recovery-group Finally, I want to extend heartfelt thanks to Mike Slade and the Bridgwater Docks volunteer task force. As detailed on page 29, the team has devoted over 30,000 hours to maintaining the Docks and canal area, a remarkable achievement. With the Canal & River Trust now supporting volunteers in Bridgwater, I hope it will continue the excellent work and reputation established over 13 years of IWA involvement.

As we head into another year, I'd like to thank everyone who continues to support IWA and contribute to its many successes. I look forward to spending more time enjoying our canals and rivers in 2026.

Hannah Rigley 3

EDITORIAL Following our bumper 200th edition, I was a little concerned that issue 201 might be a little short of content. How wrong I was! Thank you to all contributors who’ve made this another busy 36pager. We have causes for celebration and reflection, patience and renewed determination.

As I was bringing together the stories for this issue, I was struck by a common theme: the tenacity of people who love our inland waterways. Behind every story, there’s an individual or group showing extreme tenacity to see their vision through.

This issue celebrates the achievements of several groups campaigning to secure their piece of the inland waterways network – from the Cotswold Canals Trust’s successful application for National Lottery Heritage Funds (page 5) to the multi-agency drive that has achieved a commitment of approx. £2.5m for the Mon & Brec Canal’s water supply (page 7).

More examples include the determined groups campaigning for the future of the Neath & Tennant Canals, who are waiting yet again for a report linked to the canals’ future (page 14), and Rolle Canal & Northern Devon Waterways Society’s determination to complete its Middle Wharf project despite the sad passing of its project manager Adrian Wills (page 16).

Unfortunately, tenacity doesn’t always achieve the required result. Bude Canal & Harbour Society’s campaign for a moveable Rodds Bridge replacement was unsuccessful (page 11). However, the Society was successful with its negotiations to retain heritage features within the new Sand Rails Access Way adjoining Bude Sea Lock (page 19).

At an individual level, West Country Branch Vice Chair Mike Slade had the tenacity to lead a volunteer workforce at Bridgwater for 13 years (page 29).

And map fan Adrian Padfield catalogued no less than 620 maps for the British Library (page 28).

Where would our waterways be without such determination?

Sandy Wright 4

News HISTORIC MILESTONE FOR COTSWOLD CANALS Charlotte Jones, Marketing and Communications Officer, Cotswold Canals Trust The Cotswold Canals Trust celebrated a landmark moment in its 50 year history, following the award of £6.46 million from The National Lottery Heritage Fund. This major investment supports the next phase of the Cotswold Canals Connected Project, which will restore the canal between Stonehouse and Saul, reconnecting Stroud’s historic Stroudwater Navigation to the national canal network for the first time in over 70 years.

See map, next page.

The announcement, featured on BBC Points West on November 4, shone a spotlight on the hundreds of volunteers and supporters whose dedication has helped bring this long-cherished dream within reach.

The funding will enable a series of ambitious engineering and environmental works, including reinstating the ‘Missing Mile’ beneath the M5 motorway, re-routing an oil pipeline, restoring and refurbishing six locks, creating a new canal basin near the A38, and developing a nature reserve and new wildlife hedgerows. The project will also deliver a fully accessible towpath linking Stroud to the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal – creating a continuous route for walkers, cyclists, boaters and wildlife.

“This is a truly historic moment for the Cotswold Canals Trust,” said David Hagg, Chair of Trustees. “It brings us another step closer to reconnecting the Stroudwater Navigation to the national network. The

Volunteer Andy Pickersgill (right) is interviewed for BBC Points West. (Photo courtesy Cotswold Canals Trust)

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achievement reflects the passion, dedication, and thousands of volunteer hours that have made this possible.”

More than 350 volunteers already support the project, working tirelessly across restoration, ecology, engineering and community engagement.

Their contribution has been vital in reaching this milestone, and there are always opportunities for more people to get involved. The project is being delivered through a strong partnership between the Cotswold Canals Trust, Stroud District Council, Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, Gloucestershire County Council and the Stroud Valleys Canal Company.

The Trust is looking to welcome new Trustees to its Board, particularly those with experience in property valuation and management, volunteer development, community engagement, youth and education, business development or human resources. To find out more, become a member, volunteer or apply to join the Board, visit the Trust’s recently revamped website www.cotswoldcanals.org.

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MON & BREC WATER AGREEMENT Paul Thomas, IWA South West & South Wales Region Secretary On December 4, 2025, the Welsh Government announced a five-year financial settlement for the Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal. This funding will support the water supply agreement between Canal & River Trust (CRT) and Dŵr Cymru Welsh Water (DCWW), with the Government providing up to £400,000 annually and CRT up to £100,000 annually.

Since my update in the autumn edition of Sou'Wester, IWA has been working hard alongside other groups and campaigners to maintain pressure on the Welsh Government whilst allowing the Task & Finish Group to do its work. The Group was announced by Cabinet Secretary Huw Irranca-Davies in July last year, alongside the £5 million investment that is currently being spent on pumping infrastructure at DCWW’s Manorafon Pumping Station.

Originally scheduled to meet in early September, the Group finally convened on November 17. It brought together representatives from the Welsh Government, CRT, Natural Resources Wales, DCWW, the local authorities, and both the Welsh Office and UK Government. Work had been ongoing in the background, and the meeting discussed short and long-term solutions.

Effectively, this new five-year funding represents the short term solution. For the longer term, alternative water sources are being investigated.

CRT spent just under £1 million

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Pictured at the funding announcement in Gilwern are Ben Cottam, CRT Director for Wales & South West England, and Huw Irranca-Davies, Deputy First Minister, Welsh Government. (Photo courtesy Road House Narrowboats)

purchasing water in 2025. Whilst the new funding is less than the amount it paid last year, CRT expects a partial refund from DCCW for overpayments, and water requirement modelling suggests demand should be lower in future years.

The upgrade of Manorafon Pumping Station is due to be complete by the start of the 2026 boating season, which should provide reassurance for the water supply.

At the time of going to press, we await full details of the new funding agreement. We will monitor the situation closely to ensure it continues to benefit the Mon & Brec Canal and all those who use and love it.

NEW STYLE FOOTBRIDGE FOR FISHWICK FEEDER Stover Canal Trust has switched up the design of a towpath footbridge in a bid to extend its working life.

The bridge, which takes towpath walkers over the Fishwick Feeder stream, was last rebuilt about 20 years ago. Its timber construction suffered regular damage due to annual flood flows from the River Teign. Following Storm Bert’s flooding in 2024, the decision was taken to completely rebuild the bridge.

Trust Chairman and project manager Paul Taper said: “We considered a number of design alternatives, including an all metal replacement, but were conscious of the rural setting and so opted to keep a wooden upper structure, but with modern supports.”

For the supports, the Trust contracted No More Digging, a specialist company from Exeter, that installs galvanised metal ground screws. It uses state of the art equipment, such as an hydraulic screwing device and gyroscope controls, to securely install the ground screws, some of which had to be 4 metres long in order to fix into a firm substrate.

With the galvanised supports in place, the Trust organised a volunteer weekend at the end of September 2025 to complete the build. The volunteers constructed braces, bearers and handrails from new timber, but were able to form the deck from recycled boards supplied by Sibelco Ltd, a neighbour of the Stover Canal. The improved bridge design includes better

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accessibility for people with limited mobility.

Paul added: “We are very grateful to Sibelco for their invaluable assistance over the years and to IWA’s South West Inland W a t e r w a y s Regeneration Fund for its generous The new Fishwick Feeder footbridge, with its contribution towards galvanised metal supports. (Photo courtesy the cost. I am also very Stover Canal Trust) proud of our volunteer force for working long hours and as a team in order to complete the work over just one weekend.”

The Trust’s Management Committee Chairman Rob Harris said: “Fishwick Feeder is named after Fishwick House which used to stand alongside the River Teign. There, a sluice and weir were installed to direct river water across the fields into the canal. The house has long since disappeared and the sluice has fallen into disrepair, but the water’s route can still be seen.

We anticipate that we have constructed a bridge that is both rustically attractive and sturdy enough to withstand any significant flood flows across the meadows.”

The Trust holds regular work parties and new members are always welcome. Email: info@stovercanal.co.uk

LANGPORT RIVER PROJECT CELEBRATED IN FILM The success of Langport’s river regeneration project has been documented in a special video by local film-maker Gordon McKerrow.

It shows how Langport gained a new lease of life thanks to the project. Five years on from initial completion, the Upper River Parrett attracts around 250,000 visitors per year to the town and new businesses and services have opened up as a result.

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IWA’s West Country Branch was instrumental in the project, alongside Langport Town Council. As well as helping initiate the project, IWA’s contribution included providing a consultant engineer to survey the Huish Bridge slipway and advise on its restoration, plus three work parties by IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group The film was launched at a special event in Langport on September 16, 2025. It features a joint commentary between Val Saunders, former Leader of Langport Town Council, and Ray Alexander, former West Country Branch Chairman. Both played a big part in seeing the project through.

Val said: “The town has developed a renewed sense of civic pride and we rarely have an empty shop on the high street.”

Ray added: “Langport’s story shows just what can be done to enhance an area by improving its waterway and waterside. It wasn’t a big, multimillion-pound project, but it has achieved so much for the area.”

The funding neared £300,000 ten years ago, sourced from a combination of European funds, local authorities and the Canoe Foundation.

Pictured by the River Parrett are (l to r) Ian Macnab, owner of the Duchess of Cocklemoor, Val Saunders, former leader of Langport Town Council, IWA’s Ray Alexander, film-maker Gordon McKerrow, and Gerard Tucker and Morag Kelly of Langport Town Council.

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Gerard Tucker, Langport Town Clerk, said: “The Langport community expresses its gratitude to the IWA for helping Langport deliver its vision. We do not consider the regeneration to be complete. Refurbishment of more paths, creation of cycle paths and additional parking are on our list for one day. Perhaps even an easily accessible mooring for our community boat The Duchess of Cocklemoor.”

The video can be found on Youtube: https://youtu.be/rIfij65FVc

RODDS BRIDGE REPLACED Despite comprehensive objections by Bude Canal & Harbour Society (BCHS), Cornwall Council went ahead with replacing Rodds Bridge at a fixed, low level last summer.

The bridge lies approximately half way along the two-mile Barge The new Rodds Bridge.

Section of the Bude Canal, (Photo: Mike Moore, BCHS) which runs between Bude and Helebridge. It was closed to vehicular traffic in October 2023 after an inspection revealed structural issues requiring a complete replacement.

BCHS Trustees, supported by IWA’s West Country Branch, highlighted that this was the opportunity to complete one of the final jigsaw pieces of the Bude Canal Regeneration Project. This 2007-2009 project was intended to restore navigation throughout the Barge Section; it saw the canal dredged, banks stabilised, a new towpath, reinstatement of the two inland locks, a back pumping system to conserve water and the raising of Whalesborough Farm Bridge. It had also allowed for Rodds Bridge to be replaced with either a higher level or moveable bridge. However, funding ran out and Rodds Bridge was left until a new opportunity presented itself.

BCHS was involved in protracted correspondence with Cornwall Council about Rodds Bridge since its closure, but said the Council would not seize this opportunity to install a moveable bridge.

Opened to traffic in August 2025, the new Rodds Bridge does have slightly higher headroom than its predecessor, at 4ft 11in, but that is is not enough for passenger vessels. A trip boat from Bude to Helebridge had been an intention of the original Regeneration Project, illustrated by the raising of Whalesborough Farm Bridge (further inland) to 7ft headroom at the time.

The new bridge’s design includes a deck that can be reused and abutments that can be built off should a replacement opportunity occur in future.

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TY BANC CANAL GROUP UPDATE Lola Reddy and Kayla Stanley, Ty Banc Canal Group It was exciting to welcome an IWA Waterway Recovery Group Canal Camp for a week at the end of August. Working at locks 12 and 13 on the Neath Canal, there were 18 volunteers who built two new footbridges and a culvert weir, helping improve access and protect the canal for the future.

One of the new footbridges installed by IWA’s Waterway Recovery Group

Our annual Canal Festival on August 23/24, 2005 was a big family event for all ages.

It took place near Resolven Basin and it was great seeing so many people come together to enjoy the canal and the area around it.

There were lots of free activities such as circus skills, fun sessions with the South Wales Adventure Company, live music, traditional games and stalls showcasing local talent. Events like this make the community stronger and help keep places like the canal alive.

Later in the year – and back by popular demand – was our Halloween Light Up. With the canal illuminated and terrific decorations, it was a spooky night out for young and old, including an added Welsh theme: the Mari Lwyd (horse skull).

Part of the Halloween illuminations.

(Photos: Ty Banc Canal Group)

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You can follow Ty Banc Canal Group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TyBancCG

H&G LATEST Roger Morgan, Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust Restoration work continues on the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal at five of the six strategic sites. The sixth site is currently awaiting completion of a Section 106 agreement.

In Hereford, work has begun to clear the canal north of Aylestone Tunnel and extensive construction work continues at the Malswick site. At Over, clearance work has been undertaken to remove vegetation around the lock and expose the remaining brickwork.

Fencing has been put in place as a safety measure to prevent anyone falling into the water in the lock. Although the water appears to be lock-shaped, in fact the recesses for the bottom gates can clearly be seen in the wall approximately 2m before the end of the water.

The book by David Bick on the history of the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal states that the lock was 10m deep.

However, other books claim different depths and no historical record of the actual depth has yet been found. The existing water level in Clearance work at Over Lock. (Photo courtesy the lock is some 2m Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Trust) below that of the basin; comparison with that and the level of the water in the River Severn (just visible through the trees in the top right of the photo) gives some credence to greater depth.

The next step is to pump out the water from the lock in order to explore what archaeology remains. Given the historical uncertainty, it will be particularly interesting to see if the base of the lock can be established.

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DELAYED NEATH & TENNANT CANALS REPORT Paul Thomas, IWA South West & South Wales Region Secretary Back in June 2025, three members of IWA’s South Wales Branch attended a presentation by Neath Port Talbot Council, outlining early findings from its consultation on the future of the Neath and Tennant Canals.

The consultation, which ran from late November 2024 to early January 2025, explored a range of options - but notably excluded full restoration.

IWA, the Neath & Tennant Canals Trust and others made the case for full restoration as the preferred option. We were encouraged that the resultant report, presented in draft form at that June meeting, appeared to have taken that view on board.

We were told that the report, prepared by Atkins Realis and Moss Naylor Young, proposes phased restoration of both canals over the next 10 to 15 years, focusing first on improving access and forming agreements with the current owners - St Modwen (Neath Canal) and the Tennant family trust (Tennant Canal).

The presentation, held at the Towers Hotel, Swansea, was well attended, with around 70 participants a c r o s s t w o s e s s i o n s . Aberdulais Aqueduct and viaduct, Tennant Representatives from the Canal. (Photo: Paul Thomas) Neath & Tennant Canals Trust and Ty Banc Canal Group were also present, the latter being the only group currently authorised to carry out volunteer work on the Neath Canal.

Unfortunately, consideration and acceptance of the consultation report by Neath Port Talbot Council has been delayed due to ill health on the consultants’ team. We understand that the final report will be published in January 2026.

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A379 CANAL BRIDGES PROPOSALS Ray Alexander Devon County Council held workshops for stakeholders on October 22, at which it presented the emerging proposals for two new replacement bridges carrying the A379 dual carriageway across Exeter Ship Canal.

Key points of interest emerging from this are as follows: 1. The new bridges will be bascules, similar in concept to the existing bascule bridge on the eastbound carriageway, but of a modern design.

2. Both the existing bridges have a maximum remaining life of no more than 10 years, they already have some issues and the bascule bridge is now subject to monthly inspections.

3. The Strategic Outline Business Case submitted by Devon County Council was successful and agreed by the Department for Transport.

4. Work is now ongoing on the Outline Business Case which will be submitted in 2026, following a public consultation this spring.

5. The control tower is likely to be moved to the south-east side of the westbound carriageway, closer to the University Rowing Club building.

This will allow the existing dog-leg in the eastbound carriageway to be eased.

6. The width of the canal under the bridges is expected to be unchanged, i.e. continuing the historic 26ft or so.

7. It is not proposed to install a temporary road bridge whilst the construction works are taking place. This will cause traffic problems at rush hour times and

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A stand up paddleboarder demonstrates the limited air draft below the A379 swing bridge. (Photo: Jane Evans)

other busy periods, with traffic restricted to a contra-flow on the remaining bridge in use.

8. Some environmental improvement works will be undertaken as part of the project at the western roundabout, where the road to Dawlish splits.

9. The County Council has examined five options for replacing the bridges; three of these it has discounted, leaving Option 2 which is to rebuild the bridges on the existing level and Option 4, which involves raising the road surface by 0.7m (just over 2ft), but possibly more if additional funding can be obtained. Option 4 could create sufficient room adjacent to the canal to enable cyclists and pedestrians to pass under the new bridges rather than crossing the A379 dual carriageway as now.

Subject to the canal’s fluctuating water levels, it is estimated that the resulting air drafts under the new bridges will be in the order of 2.4m, to be confirmed. This will enable some leisure craft to use the new bridges but compares with an ideal air draft of some 3.0m, also to be confirmed.

These are currently being investigated.

ROLLE CANAL MIDDLE WHARF PROJECT Michael Elliott, Rolle Canal & Northern Devon Waterways Society The Rolle Canal, opened in 1827, ran from the tidal Sea Lock on the River Torridge at Landcross to its terminus at Darkham Weir near Rosemoor.

Our Society now works to preserve and restore, where possible, the fragmented remains of the canal, abandoned in 1871.

One of these areas is Middle Wharf. Added after the canal’s opening, it greatly extended the docking area above Sea Lock for ships to offload.

Limestone and coal from Wales were transhipped into tub boats and taken in trains of up to six boats to lime kilns along the canal, where lime was made for agriculture and construction.

In 2021 the Association of Industrial Archaeology (AIA) awarded a grant of £12,000 to the Society for restoration of the Middle Wharf wall up to the trackway that crosses the canal bed. Through all weathers and the COVID pandemic, a growing band of volunteers restored over 600ft of canal bank. This initial phase, involving more than 1,000 hours of volunteer effort, was completed by Christmas 2022.

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Since the funding was not exhausted, the Society was granted permission to extend the scope of the project, this time restoring the wharf wall beyond the track crossing. It’s a significantly longer stretch of wall, but work was finally completed in May 2025 after a further 2,000 hours of volunteer effort.

Sadly, project manager Adrian Wills did not see its completion as he died of a heart attack on August 6, 2024, after working with the restoration team that day. The section of wall they had reached at that Middle Wharf wall nearly complete, April 1, 2025 time was marked by (Photo: Michael Elliott) a slab of slate inserted between the coping stones. The Society will place signage at this point to reflect Adrian’s huge contribution to restoration work on Lord Rolle’s canal and the generous contribution of the AIA. This area of canal is currently affected by the tide. To establish a permanent water level in the pound, the Society has a project to restore the spillway that sets the water level. The spillway slot can be seen in the photo above, in the distance near the wharf wall. We are also working to obtain engineering drawings for modular steel gates for Sea Lock. This involves removing lots of mud from the lock so we can get to the bottom of it!

TOPSHAM LOCK AT RISK Ray Alexander The Friends of Exeter Ship Canal (FESC) has objected to the Proposed Port of Exeter Harbour Revision Order, emphasising the importance of Topsham Lock and arguing that it should be retained within the port of Exeter. The lock lies approximately two miles up the canal, providing a link into the top of the Exe estuary.

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The proposed Revision Order suggests abandoning the legal requirement under the 1829 Act to maintain Topsham Lock in operational order, notwithstanding that it has been unusable since the 1970s.

Currently behind barriers, Topsham Lock links Exeter Ship Canal, in the foreground, to the Exe Estuary. (Photo: Sandy Wright) The following extract from FESC’s submission explains its objections.

“The Friends consider that Topsham Lock has, inter alia, the following important attributes which should be retained and built on for the long term: • The Lock should be a fully working lock as an integral part of a mini-hub for the Topsham Lock area, that encourages visitors to the canal in order that they can see the lock in operation and enjoy the environment and wildlife. Features of the mini-hub should include the existing Topsham Ferry service, heritage and environmental interpretation boards, educational and bird watching visits by boat, and berthing on the east bank of the canal.

• The Lock is a significant maritime heritage asset within the port and its importance should be fully recognised and improved on, not merely discarded as proposed by the draft Order.

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• The Lock gives access from the River Exe and Topsham Quay to the Exeter Ship Canal (and vice versa) and may have an enhanced role to play as future climate changes affect the Estuary, Dawlish Warren and River Exe. • The Lock can and should act as a substitute for Turf Lock when Turf Lock is closed for maintenance or any other reason.”

FESC argued that the management of Topsham Lock should form part of a proposed Port Business Plan and remain a responsibility of Exeter City Council (or its successor).

The deadline for objections to the Proposed Revision Order has now passed. The next stage, comprising responses to the objections, can take up to three years.

BUDE’S SAND RAILWAY SAVED The Sand Rails Access Way Project on the Bude Canal was officially opened on September 19, 2025.

The project involved major repairs to the canal embankment near Sea Lock and renewing the adjoining footpath which incorporated the remains of the old Sand Railway. Cornwall Council had closed the path in June 2023 due to concerns about the embankment’s integrity following storm damage over the years.

The Sand Railway was originally a 4ft plateway, but a 2ft narrow gauge railway replaced it in the early 20th Century. It was used to carry sand from the beach up to the canal’s Lower Wharf where it was loaded into tub boats and shipped inland for agriculture.

The rail lines can be seen clearly within the new path. Bude Canal lies above the embankment to the right, while the River Strat flows alongside the beach below left.

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Having undertaken surveys with ground penetrating radar to check for voids in the structure, Cornwall Council put forward a number of proposals to rebuild and strengthen the banks that support the canal and path. Consultation with Bude Canal & Harbour Society (BCHS) and Historic England resulted in a plan that balanced structural, heritage and accessibility needs.

Work started in December 2024 when contractors began injecting specialist grout into the voids to stabilise and seal up the structures. In places this involved drilling to depths of up to 3 metres. The embankment now has a new, solid foundation, concrete backing and a stone facing wall that combines both original and locally sourced replacement stones, pointed with marine grade mortar.

Construction of the replacement path included retaining as many as possible of the narrow gauge rails and relaying them within the new path surface. Any rail sections that were too damaged or corroded were replaced with like for like copies.

The low wall that marks the location of the passing loop on the 1823 plateway was retained, as were many of the historic granite setts. The walkway now has an exposed aggregate finish intended to blend in with the setting and provide friction for mobility access requirements.

The scheme was funded by Cornwall Council and Future Coast Bude (part of Defra’s £200 million Flood and Coastal Innovation Programme, managed by the Environment Agency).

Around 25 representatives from organisations involved in the project attended the official opening. BCHS Secretary Peter Daniel made an address, explaining the historical importance of the sand rails. Part of the old track will be displayed in the Bude Barge Workshop at Helebridge.

The Sand Rails Access Path was opened by North Cornwall MP Ben Maguire and Cornwall Councillor Peter La Broy. (Photos: Mike Moore, BCHS)

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MILESTONES FOR TIDAL BARRIER

By November 2025 a number of construction milestones had been achieved on the Bridgwater Tidal Barrier scheme.

The first concrete pour for the temporary tension slab in the west cofferdam was completed, using the largest concrete pump in the UK. This slab stabilises the west cofferdam until a permanent concrete slab can be poured later.

The jack-up barge Haven SeaSeven has been moved to a central position in the River Parrett so that tubular piles can be installed for the central cofferdam. Excavation of the bypass channel has begun, which will divert the river while the barrier’s three towers are constructed within the central cofferdam.

Ever wondered how a tidal barrier is built? The project team has produced a 4D animated video that walks you through the construction process from foundation work to installing the state-of-the-art moveable gates. The video was initially created to help the team with planning and executing the works, but it’s now available for everyone to view on YouTube: https://youtu.be/v9JPzNUSoPQ Screenshot from the animated video.

HISTORIC SAILBOAT SAVED White Heather, a rare 1926 Cornish Lugger, has been saved from destruction following a complex rescue from the depths of Gloucester Docks.

The wooden hulled sailboat, originally built for fishing off the Cornish coast, later became a popular passenger boat in Fowey during the 1980s and 90s. In 2003 she undertook an Atlantic voyage to Morocco, Brazil and the Caribbean, and later appeared at the 2011 Gloucester Tall Ships Festival. Sadly, after another decade afloat, the privately-owned White Heather fell into disrepair and sank in the Docks in 2023.

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With the owner unable to raise and restore the vessel, CRT's Licensing Compliance & Enforcement Team began detailed planning to remove her, supported by its Heritage Team. Initial recovery efforts were hampered by concerns over the integrity White Heather being towed to safety in of the fragile wooden hull. Gloucester Docks. (Photo courtesy CRT) But in January 2024, contractors safely raised and transported the vessel to local boatbuilders RW Davis & Son Ltd, who provided secure storage and preservative measures.

The search to find a suitable new custodian took around a year, but White Heather has now been moved to Hayling Island for full restoration.

CANAL QUIZ A to Z of Canal Tunnels (Part 1 of 3) by Mike Potts Which waterways have the following tunnels on them? Answers on page 33. (I am sorry if I do not give the accurate historic names for some of the waterways).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Adwick Ashford Ashperton Aylestone Hill Barnton Berwick Blisworth Braunston Bruce Butterley

11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

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Gannow Chirk Cookley Cowley Crick Cricklade Crimson Hill Cwmbran Falkirk Fallingroyd

Features NEW YEAR’S DAY 1961 STYLE ED: During my research for the previous issue of Sou'Wester, our celebratory 200th edition, I looked back through some early copies. I was captivated – and a little disturbed - by the following report of a New Year’s Day exploit from Sou’Wester no. 2, back in April 1961.

It seems appropriate to reprint it in this January edition as you’ll hopefully be reading it with New Year’s Day fresh in your minds. No photos were included back then, but I’m grateful to Cotswold Canals Trust for those printed here, which give an idea of the tunnel around that time.

EXPLORING SAPPERTON TUNNEL Max Berrans, IWA Midlands Branch Everybody has their own ideas on how to start the year off right. Here’s mine. On New Year’s Day last, four brave intrepid travellers including myself, another Midlands Branch member and two friends set out to try and navigate Sapperton Tunnel.

The day was clear and crisp and in due course we reached the Daneway end of the Tunnel after a fairly uneventful journey, excepting one serious skid near Malvern. We took with us a speed boat hull and a pram dinghy.

The Daneway and Tunnel House inns are at the west and east end of the canal tunnel respectively, and the former also stands by the summit lock on the long flight down the Golden Valley to Stroud and the Severn at

1967. Just six years after Max’s expedition, a dry canal bed at Coates Portal, Sapperton Tunnel.

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Framilode. After lunch and a quick perusal of the chart of the tunnel displayed in the first named pub, we made our way to the other end.

Launching presented little difficulty despite the steep cutting and we soon found ourselves in the darkness of the interior. The above mentioned chart was drawn up in 1955 by an earlier expedition and showed the first rock fall to be at a distance of 1.5 miles inside.

It was a wide canal and consequently the tunnel is 15ft wide with a depth of water from 2 – 3ft even now. As with Dudley, it is brick lined in some parts and in others out of the limestone rock, forming spectacular caverns in the light of our Tilley lamps. There are plaques in the wall at 5 chain intervals to mark the distance in, and also niches – their purpose is obscure but they were either aids to the leggers or for supporting scaffolding when roof repairs came necessary.

When we had all but rowed a mile in, out of the darkness suddenly loomed an enormous pile of rubbish reaching to the roof and blocking the way.

Here we stopped, but after inspection Charlie and I dragged the smaller boat over the 30 yard long fall and made off with a Tilley lamp and torch into the great unknown.

The unknown turned out to be not so great, in fact only 200 yards long to the next fall; this one looked more serious than the last, but we had to turn back anyway because a bump had put out the lamp, leaving us in darkness until we located the torch.

Inside Sapperton Tunnel during the 1960s: a roof fall and major leaks through the wall. (Photos courtesy Cotswold Canals Trust)

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At that time we found two major and one minor fall with evidence of more to come from the bulging walls. The Conservancy are going to have a devil of a job reopening this one!

The Thames & Severn Canal was built by Whitworth under an act of 1783 and an inscription dated 1875 Whitworth Engineer can be found on the lock bridge keystone at the Red Lion Inn, Chalford. It runs from Walbridge Basin, Stroud, to Inglesham with a branch at Cirencester and took six years to build. The largest single work is the 3,808 yards long tunnel, the third longest canal tunnel. The entire canal has now been abandoned, the last boat passing through about the time of the first World War.

BUDE CANAL TRUST REVIEW 2023-2025 Steve Church, Chairman, Bude Canal Trust The Aqueduct Branch of the Bude Canal, stretching some 5½ miles between Lower Tamar Lake and Burmsdon, is important in that it is the longest continuous remaining length of the Bude Canal. Its ownership was transferred from North Cornwall District Council to Bude Canal Trust (BCT) in 1996. This new charitable trust was formed to ensure the Branch was not disposed of piecemeal to various buyers, which may have destroyed its Virworthy Wharf building on the Aqueduct environmental, historic Branch (Photo: Mike Moore) and access value.

For the last 29 years BCT has worked hard to maintain the Branch’s historic and heritage identity, its wildlife value and, with the support of Devon County Council, public access on the towpath.

Negotiations with Devon Wildlife Trust BCT is a small organisation with extremely limited funds and by the 2020s was finding it difficult to keep up with the demands of maintaining and

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promoting the Aqueduct Branch to a level it deserved. Consequently, the Trustees started seeking an appropriate partner to help in this work.

Discussions were held with Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) and, early in 2023, its then Chief Executive made a presentation to BCT’s AGM outlining his vision for a green corridor based on the Branch. Under this idea, the Branch would be transferred from BCT to DWT. Given DWT’s stated intentions to continue managing the canal and its immediate surroundings so that its heritage value and public access would be maintained, plus their much greater resources, BCT's Trustees were happy to endorse this proposal.

Negotiations and discussions, plus several joint site visits, continued from early 2023 until late 2024. Then in December 2024 DWT unexpectedly withdrew from the transfer. It seems the liability of potential fencing costs was a major issue. Also, the Chief Executive who enthusiastically supported the proposal had moved on and his replacement was less committed.

BCT's Trustees are disappointed at the loss of an excellent potential future for not only this length of canal but also the wider environment. Further, the legal costs incurred during the negotiations could have had a substantial negative impact on BCT's finances if it weren’t for its legal representatives waiving their costs. A gesture much appreciated by BCT. Burmsdon land sale DWT had never proposed to take on a length of the Aqueduct Branch at Burmsdon as it lies west of the River Tamar, i.e. in Cornwall. Cornwall Wildlife Trust did not want it either, so negotiations have been undertaken with the neighbouring landowner.

This resulted in a proposal that BCT’s land west of the Tamar be sold to this landowner, with such a sale including guarantees that the heritage be protected, that a length be re-watered and that controlled public access be allowed under permission. BCT’s members were consulted and indicated their support.

As the sale was to a private individual rather than another charity, some requirements of the Charities Act 2011 came into force, including placing a public notice of sale in local newspapers. This took place in March/April

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2025 and no objections were received. The transaction has now been completed, and BCT is confident that it will be to the benefit of both parties and the future of this length of canal.

Tamara Coast to Coast Way 2023/25 saw the completion of a promoted Burmsdon Aqueduct, over the River Tamar. walking route between the (Photo: Mike Moore) south and north coasts, following as closely as possible the River Tamar. It was set up under the auspices of the Tamar Valley National Landscape (formerly AONB), with funding from the National Lottery.

Part of the route closely follows the line of the Launceston and Aqueduct Branches. It uses the Aqueduct towpath between Moreton Bridge and Lower Tamar Lake. It also uses part of the Planekeepers’ Path at Cann Orchard, passes the top of Hobbacott inclined plane and links into Bude using the canal from Marhamchurch. Its completion seemed particularly relevant given that 2025 marked 200 years from the opening of the Launceston Branch to Crossgate.

Ongoing maintenance Work has continued on maintaining the Aqueduct Branch and its environment. This has included vegetation clearance, removing dead trees and other obstructions along the towpath, regular path surface cuts, strimming and clearing part of the filter beds at Vealand.

During 2024, the Virworthy Bridge parapet was hit by an unknown vehicle and suffered considerable damage. Luckily, this seems to be more cosmetic than structural, but is hardly ideal. The police were informed but there has been no feedback. BCT is in ongoing discussions with Devon County Council about this and other matters concerning road bridges.

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Future prospects BCT remains committed to doing its best to maintain the Aqueduct Branch as a heritage feature available to the public and, in partnership with Devon County Council, to maintain the towpath as a public footpath. However, with its limited resources in finance and manpower, the Trustees continue to look for ways forward that will reduce the load on these resources while ensuring the continuance of the canal's heritage.

For further information: enquiries@bude-canal-trust.co.uk

MAN ON A MAP MISSION Adrian Padfield I have been a member of IWA since 1967 and my early days of boating with a trailable cabin cruiser were featured in the last issue of Sou’Wester.

My late wife Gillian and I were originally based in north Somerset but moved to Sheffield for my work as a consultant anaesthetist in 1972. We then bought our narrow boat Atropos and eventually cruised all the interconnected canals on the network. I returned to the South West in 2017 following Gillian’s death, to be near my daughter and family.

My map and print collection began gradually in the 1980s. I now have more than 20 old maps, including some British Waterways maps of the network, and over 30 antique prints.

Following retirement from the NHS in 1998, I discovered that the British Library had an uncatalogued collection of 620 canal maps. Over the next few years, I made it my mission to catalogue them – and could be said to have become a bit of a bore on the subject! They included many of the Kennet & Avon and other South West canals.

My own collection features two items from Sou’Wester’s region.

One is an original, framed print of Beam Aqueduct on the Rolle

Adrian’s print of Beam Aqueduct.

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Canal. Its inscription says: Rolle Aqueduct. This plate is respectfully dedicated to the proprietor the Right Hon Baron Rolle. The Rolle Canal Society’s website gallery includes the same picture, explaining that it is a ‘colourised version of an engraving by T Dixon of a painting by T Allen’.

The second is a map with the somewhat lengthy title: A Plan of the Navigable Canal from the Town of Stroud to the River Severn at Framiload, in the County of GLOCESTER. Survey’d in 1775.

When I removed it from its frame I found a press cutting fixed to the back of the map: A Sketch of the Difficulties that have attended the Navigation now making from the Town of Stroud, in Gloucestershire, to the River Severn, in which the Plan was given in our last.

With help from Cotswold Canals Trust historian Hugh Conway-Jones, we now know that this was published in the Gentlemen’s Magazine in 1777.

Its account of the stop-start beginnings of the Stroudwater Navigation was reproduced in the autumn 2025 issue of the Trust’s newsletter The Trow.

Branch Reports IWA WEST COUNTRY BRANCH Mike Slade, Branch Vice Chairman Bridgwater volunteers My first and foremost item to report is the sad closure of our volunteer task force. We started the team in Bridgwater to keep the Docks and canal tidy, and operated there for 13 years, mostly meeting twice a week. For all that time, I acted as volunteer co-ordinator, but health reasons have forced me to step back and we were unable to recruit a replacement.

Some of our Bridgwater volunteers have signed up to volunteer with Canal & River Trust’s Bridgwater Towpath Task Force, including our Branch Treasurer Mike Aldridge. I hope more will do the same.

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For several years we also operated two further volunteer groups, one at the Taunton end of the Bridgwater & Taunton Canal and one in Langport, working on the River Parrett. We closed our Taunton team a couple of years ago, but the Langport group is now being organised by Langport Town Council. On occasions, we also ventured further afield, notably helping out on the Grand Western Canal at Jayes Cutting and Exeter Ship Canal at Topsham Lock cottage.

Bridgwater volunteers shared a commemorative cake.

I would like to thank everyone who supported our volunteers’ activities over the years. All told, they put in over 30,000 hours of their time, a massive achievement! To mark the closure of the group and to say thank you for all their efforts, we organised a meal in October 2025 at the Tudor Hotel, Bridgwater, which concluded with a special commemorative cake.

Bridgwater Docks There has been some progress on the Bridgwater Docks regeneration project, which is due to utilise £5.2m of grant funding by March 2027. A public consultation was held in September and October 2025, then in November a planning application for the proposed works was submitted to Somerset Council.

This plan includes providing 23 residential and 10 leisure moorings; replacing the swing bridge across Newton Lock with a wider (3.5m) one to accommodate cyclists and pedestrians; installing new landscaping, street furniture and information boards; cleaning and painting the Bascule Bridge and creating acrylic or glass interpretive display cases around its winding mechanisms.

AGM As last year, we shall be holding our AGM via Zoom. The date is March 28.

Papers will be circulated to Branch members in advance.

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IWA GLOUCESTERSHIRE AND HEREFORDSHIRE BRANCH Roger Morgan, Branch Chairman The Branch was delighted to hear of the grant of over £6m awarded by the Heritage Lottery Fund to the Cotswold Canals Trust. The funding will enable a significant increase in the length of navigable canal in Gloucestershire, as well as reconnecting the Stroudwater Navigation back to the UK’s main waterways system at Saul.

Other activities in the area have focused on the lock connecting the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal to the River Severn at Over.

See page 13.

After reviewing the attendance at the 2024 AGM, it was felt that the poor weather conditions in the winter may have discouraged a number of members from attending. As a result, we have decided to postpone the 2025 AGM until spring 2026 when it will be easier for driving. The agenda and papers will be sent out to Branch members at the appropriate time.

SOUTH WALES BRANCH / CANGEN DE CYMRU REPORT Joe Taplin, Branch Chair Unfortunately, Joe Taplin has been unable to file a report for this issue of Sou’Wester. However, for current information on South Wales waterway activities have a look at the following websites or contact them using the following details.

Monmouthshire, Brecon & Abergavenny Canals Trust mbact.org.uk

Torfaen Canal Volunteers Contact: Hugh Woodford 01663 862481 heatherhugh@hotmail.com

Fourteen Locks Canal Centre mbact.org.uk/fourteen-lockscanal-centre

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Cardiff Bay Harbour Authority cardiffharbour.com

Ty Banc Canal Group (Neath Canal) facebook.com/TyBancCG/

Neath & Tennant Canals Trust neath-tennant-canals.org.uk

Swansea Canal Society swanseacanalsociety.com

Tennant Canal Association tennantcanal.wales

Swansea Marina swanseamarina.org.uk

Notices Each Branch will hold its AGM in 2026.

Contact details for Branch Chairs can be found on the inside back page.

Agenda (which is common to all Branches) 1. Apologies for absence 2. Minutes of previous AGM 3. Report of Chair 4. Treasurer’s Report and accounts 5. Election of Committee 6. Any other business (previously notified to the Chair before the meeting).

Immediately following the AGM, the new Committee will meet to appoint its Officers. No further details are available, but members of Branches will be notified when more is known.

IWA West Country Branch: Saturday, March 28, 2026, 2.30pm, via Zoom.

IWA South Wales Branch: May 2026. Details to be confirmed in the next issue of Sou’Wester.

IWA Gloucestershire & Herefordshire Branch: Spring 2026. Details to be confirmed directly with Branch members.

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What’s On BUDE CANAL & HARBOUR SOCIETY AGM Sunday, February 22 The AGM will take place in The Castle Heritage Centre, Bude, at 2.30pm.

It will be preceded by a special presentation at 11am. Speaker to be confirmed.

CANAL QUIZ ANSWERS 1

Adwick: Dearne & Dove Canal

2

Ashford: Monmouthshire & Brecon Canal

3

Ashperton: Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal

4

Aylestone Hill: Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal

5

Barnton: Trent & Mersey Canal

6

Berwick: Shrewsbury/Shropshire Tub Boat Canals

7

Blisworth: Grand Union Canal

8

Braunston: Grand Union Canal

9

Bruce: Kennet & Avon Canal

10

Butterley: Cromford Canal

11

Gannow: Leeds & Liverpool Canal

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Chirk: Llangollen Canal

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Cookley: Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal

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Cowley: Shropshire Union Canal

15

Crick: Grand Union Canal

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Cricklade: North Wilts Canal

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Crimson Hill: Chard Canal

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Cwmbran: Monmouthshire Canal

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Falkirk: Edinburgh & Glasgow Union Canal

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Fallingroyd: Rochdale Canal

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Waterways in the IWA South West and South Wales Region Avon and Wilts Branch Rivers Avon & Severn: Tidal navigation that is the responsibility of the Bristol Haven Conservancy, downstream of the second Severn crossing Avon Navigation: Hanham to Avonmouth, including River Avon and Bristol Docks Kennet & Avon Canal: Hanham Lock to Froxfield Bridge North Wilts Canal Somersetshire Coal Canal Wilts & Berks Canal: Kennet & Avon Canal to county boundary 1m west of Shrivenham Gloucestershire and Herefordshire Branch Coombe Hill Canal Gloucester & Sharpness Canal Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Leominster Canal Lydney Canal River Severn: from Mythe Bridge, Tewkesbury to a point on the tidal navigation which is the seaward extent of responsibility of the Gloucester Harbour Trustees, downstream of the Second Severn Crossing Stroudwater Navigation Thames & Severn Canal River Wye: Hay-on-Wye to Severn Estuary South Wales Branch Brecon & Abergavenny Canal Glamorganshire and Aberdare Canals Monmouthshire Canal Neath & Tennant Canals Swansea Canal River Usk River Wye: Hay-on-Wye to source West Country Branch Bridgwater & Taunton Canal Bude Canal Chard Canal Exeter Ship Canal Grand Western Canal Liskeard & Looe Canal North Somerset Waterways River Parrett Rolle Canal Stover Canal Tavistock Canal River Tone

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Contacts Tony Higgins

Mike Slade

anthony.higgins@waterways.org.uk

mdslade8@gmail.com

Roger Morgan

Paul Thomas

roger.morgan@waterways.org.uk

paul.thomas@waterways.org.uk

Joe Taplin

Anne Thomas

joe.taplin@waterways.org.uk

anne.thomas@waterways.org.uk

Hannah Rigley

Sandy Wright sandy.wright@waterways.org.uk

hannah.rigley@waterways.org.uk

BRANCH WEBSITES Branch websites can be found via www.waterways.org.uk/waterways/branches

Next issue of Sou'Wester The next issue of Sou'Wester is due out in May 2026.

Please send all copy to the Editor at sandy.wright@waterways.org.uk by

Thursday, April 2, 2026 The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of IWA. The Inland Waterways Association (IWA) is a non-profit distribution company limited by guarantee. Registered Office: Unit 16B, Chiltern Court, Asheridge Road, Chesham, Bucks, HP5 2PX. Tel. 01494 783453.

Registered in England, no. 612245. Registered as a Charity, no. 212343. www.waterways.org.uk

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