A milestone in the restoration of the Wilts & Berks canal has been
completed with Chaddington Lock, near Wootton Bassett, seeing the first boat
pass through for 100 years.
A topping out ceremony has been held to mark the 2-year restoration of
the lock between Wootton Bassett and Swindon by the canal trust volunteers.
North Wiltshire District Council is one of the major supporters of plans to
restore the Wilts & Berks Canal. This is the latest stage in the restoration of
the former waterway which forms and important link from the Kennet & Avon Canal
near Melksham to the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames
near Abingdon, connecting Chippenham, Calne, Wootton Bassett, Swindon and
Wantage.
To mark the occasion a blue and yellow ribbon was cut and a Skiff, a traditional
wooden boat, named Emily, passed through the lock. On hand to witness the
occasion was some of the last lock keeper’s family, volunteers and supporters of
the project.
Funding was provided by the Canal Trust, North Wiltshire District Council,
Partners and a generous £87,000 Biffa award grant. This is the latest stage in the
restoration of the former waterway from the Kennet & Avon Canal near Melksham to
the Thames & Severn Canal near Cricklade and the River Thames near Abingdon,
connecting Cricklade, Calne, Wootton Bassett, Swindon and Wantage.
Summer 2005
