Inglesham Lock – IWA National Restoration Appeal

'Gateway to the Cotswold Canals'

The Inland Waterways Association is appealing for donations to its Inglesham Lock Restoration Appeal.

The appeal is being made to coincide with the commemoration of the Centenary of Tom Rolt, one of IWA’s founders.

We want to restore and re-commission Inglesham Lock at the junction of the Thames and Severn Canal  with the River Thames, which is a crucial part of the Cotswold canals scheme. Inglesham is the gateway to the Cotswold canals restoration, and an iconic structure. IWA are keen to present an opportunity to get it open and create a usable link to the network.

In Pictures:

click on individual photos for more information

What are we going to do?

IWA wants to raise enough funds to restore  the canal from the junction with the Thames, including the restoration of Inglesham lock chamber and to fund the purchase and restoration of 380 metres of the pound above the lock.

In doing so we want to provide a new front on the Cotswold canals restoration campaign, to encourage momentum and engagement with local residents.

This new restoration front will complement the work in the Stroud valley. We also want to force further movement on the full realisation of the Cotswold Water Park where it links to the Wilts and Berks Canal. This is the shortest and simplest route to reconnect Swindon with the national waterways network.

We hope therefore, to encourage and capture the imagination and support of the population in and around Swindon in relation to the regeneration of Swindon Town centre as part of the Wilts & Berks master plan.

IWA also wants to show support to the Cotswolds Canal project, and to consolidate and build on the recent gift of the lock at Inglesham to the Trust by British Waterways.’

We aim to create a new project on the Cotswolds that our volunteer restoration arm Waterway Recovery Group can participate in from start to finish; and to help develop and facilitate new forms of volunteering from those who may be interested in just giving a day or half a day’s time through to fully committed weekenders and week- long ‘canal campers’ thereby encouraging more participation by locals and waterway supporters.

Our  target is £125,000

If everyone who supports our cause raised and donated just £10 we would easily meet our target.

Please make a donation now online - or send your cheque made out to IWA to  ‘Inglesham’ to IWA Head Office, Island House, Moor  Road, Chesham, HP5 1WA