A vital roundabout project that involved the construction of a missing part of the Stroudwater Navigation Canal through the centre of the roundabout on the A38 has won two awards at the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) South West Civil Engineering Awards 2021

The project was inspired by the Cotswold Canals Trust, funded by Highways England and delivered by Gloucestershire County Council through contractors Alun Griffiths.

It aimed to deliver the construction of a canal through the A38 Whitminster roundabout, with two new bridges, a canal channel and towpath.

The Whitminster roundabout so impressed both the judges and the public that it attracted two of the evening’s top awards.

The Cotswold Canals Trust project to restore a missing section of the Stroudwater Navigation first won the Project under £8m New Build Award sponsored by Cormac and went on to clinch the People’s Choice Award, sponsored by AECOM, after getting the most support from the public in an online vote.

The judges praised the technical aspects of the scheme to restore a section of canal within a major roundabout.

Thanks to £4 million funding from National Highways, the restored Stroudwater Navigation Canal will eventually run under the M5 near junction 13.

National Highways project manager Sarah Lewis said: “We’re delighted to see the scheme receive such high recognition from the Institution of Civil Engineers and the public, a fitting tribute to the work which has gone into completing the first phase of this exciting restoration project.

“Our designated funds programme was developed so that we can invest in projects beyond our traditional road build and maintenance, and this is a glowing example of how this funding can have a positive impact on people and communities.”

Cotswold Canals Trust volunteers conceived this project way back in 2004 and have been dreaming of this day. Now, thanks to the fruits of their labour and dedication others have supported the project to make the dream a reality.

Jim White, Chair of Trustees said: “Unlike most road infrastructure projects, this is the cornerstone of a local charity’s mission to restore the historic canals between the River Severn and The Thames.

“The public have been amazingly supportive throughout the works. We are especially grateful to the neighbouring residents, who have been enormously kind, even bringing the team home baked cakes every week. The Cotswold Canals project can now continue and by 2025 the reinstated canal will be navigable once again”