The Canal & River Trust has started a major £4 million dredging program of the Gloucester Docks and Gloucester & Sharpness Canal to restore navigation depths and tackle the impact of significant silt build-up caused by recent drought conditions.
This work is the second phase of a recovery dredge following exceptionally dry summers in 2025 and 2026, when silt entered the Docks while water was pumped from the River Severn to operate the canal, support shipping at Sharpness and maintain supplies for Bristol Water.
The charity has been able to increase its planned investment, with the latest program doubling from £2 million to £4 million. This is on top of the 2025 program which removed 37,000 tons of silt at a cost of £2.5 million.
Ben Cottam, regional director for Wales & South West at Canal & River Trust, said: "We are pleased to have the dredging program underway. Once it has progressed up the canal it will target the main basin, the canal approach to Llanthony Bridge and the arm leading into Victoria Basin. The dredging team will also remove silt build-up around the water point used by boaters on the Llanthony Pontoons."
The dredging is being carried out by contractors Land & Water. Dredged material will be transported by hopper barges to a disposal site at Parkend, where it will be prepared for beneficial use on agricultural land. Material unsuitable for reuse will be taken to recycling centers.