Suttle Projects is pleased to announce that we have been appointed as the specialist sheet piling contractor for the next phase of the Cotswold Canals Connected (Phase 1B) project on behalf of Stroud District Council.
The scheme forms part of the long-term vision to restore the historic Stroudwater Navigation, reconnecting a navigable waterway between the River Severn and the River Thames and re-establishing links to the UK’s national canal network.
Restoring a Historic Waterway
The Cotswold Canals Connected programme is transforming sections of canal that have been lost for decades. One of the most significant challenges is the reinstatement of the historic ‘Missing Mile’, a section of canal west of Eastington that was infilled during the construction of the M5 motorway and associated infrastructure in the late 1960s.
As part of the wider restoration, Stroud District Council and its partners are rebuilding sections of the Stroudwater Navigation, including waterways, locks, bridges and wetlands that were removed during construction of the A38/A419 roundabout and the M5.
The ultimate objective is to reopen the navigation and reconnect the waterway between the River Severn and the River Thames, creating lasting environmental, heritage and recreational benefits.
A Complex Engineering Challenge
This phase presents several major engineering obstacles. The restored canal must pass beneath the M5 motorway while also negotiating the A38 and the Birmingham to Bristol main railway line.
To achieve this, the new canal alignment will temporarily share the route of the River Frome near Junction 13 of the M5. The permanent works include removing accumulated silt from the river, constructing a permanent segregating wall between the river and the new canal channel, providing erosion protection and delivering sections of canal channel and flood bank adjacent to the river.
Before these permanent works can take place, specialist temporary works are required to enable safe river diversion and dewatering.
Suttle Projects’ Role
Suttle Projects has been appointed to deliver both the temporary and permanent sheet piling works that are fundamental to the successful delivery of this phase.
Our scope includes providing the sheet piling solutions that will:
- Facilitate temporary river diversion and dewatering.
- Enable construction of the permanent canal infrastructure.
- Form the permanent segregation wall between the River Frome and the restored canal.
- Support erosion protection and associated engineering works.
- Assist with the safe reinstatement of the River Frome following construction.
The sheet piling package is a critical enabling element of the scheme, allowing the wider construction works to be carried out safely and efficiently within a challenging environment.
Proud to Support a Landmark Project
Projects of this scale require specialist engineering expertise, careful planning and close collaboration. We’re proud that Suttle Projects has been selected to deliver such an important element of this nationally significant restoration.
We look forward to working with Stroud District Council and the wider project team as construction progresses and to playing our part in bringing the Stroudwater Navigation back to life.