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Restoration of canal walkway amid £16m funding boost

News imageBBC A wall with graffiti running along it, in front of a footpath. There is a tunnel on th left of the image.BBC
Graffiti on the Stroudwater Navigation

A major restoration of canal walkway has started to make the area "feel clean and safe".

Graffiti on the Stroudwater Navigation is being treated by professional cleaners or painted over thanks to a £16m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Stroud District Council leaders say the work along the Stroudwater Navigation will create a new accessible towpath linking Stroud with Saul, where it joins the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.

Angela Gillingham, head of community services at the council, said: "When places like the canal feel clean, safe and respected, people are far more likely to enjoy them and take pride in them."

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Gillingham added that maintaining public spaces is vital.

The council is also working with the Cotswold Canal Trust and volunteers who are introducing new plants along the canal to make the wall surfaces difficult to access, using species known to discourage graffiti.

News imageA red brick wall with pink and white graffiti on it is being cleaned using an industrial cleaner by a man wearing a cap and fleece.
The cleaning company, Eco-Clean apply anti-graffiti paint to prevent future graffiti penetrating into the wall

Gillingham wants to give young people a positive reason to come down to the canal.

At the end of February there will be a new light installation designed by teenagers in the area.

"They have helped design it and come up with the concept to light one of the bridges on the canal so its safe for people to walk along in the evenings," said Gillingham.

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