The Cotswold Canals Trust will reopen the Bonds Mill visitor centre today, Sunday, from 1.30pm–4pm, following a year of closure.
Over the past year, the centre was used by the Cotswold Canals Connected project team while works were undertaken to replace the bridge.
The reopening also follows a significant milestone in the canal’s restoration. In January, full-height boats passed through the new Bonds Mill Lift Bridge for the first time since the 1990s – a major step forward in restoring navigation along this stretch of canal.
A trust spokesperson said: “Visitors may notice piling works continuing along the embankment. Following installation of the lift bridge, the team has been able to complete the driving of nearly 300 sheet piles to stabilise the canal bank, with around 200 already driven to their final height to help prevent slippage.
“Wildlife has been carefully considered within the design, with access holes cut into selected piles to potentially provide entry points for water voles. Once piling is complete, additional “king” piles and tie rods will be installed to further strengthen the bank.”
The Cotswold Canals Trust and Stroud District Council co-lead the Cotswold Canals Connected project, which has so far restored the canal from Thrupp to Eastington. To find out how to volunteer visit www.cotswoldcanals.org/support-us/volunteer/
