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The Lydney Canal is a one-mile canal in Gloucestershire that runs inland from the River Severn to Lydney. It was opened in 1813 to trans-ship iron and coal from the Forest of Dean. It was once connected by a horse-drawn tramroad to Pidcock's Canal [1] which brought materials down to the wharves by tub-boat.
In the 1960s imported wood was still being brought in by barge from Avonmouth. [2] It remained in commercial use until the 1980s. The entrance to the canal consists of an outer tidal gate opening into a wide basin. From there a lock opens into the one-mile canal cut. Immediately above the lock, a pair of gates points the other way as protection against a high tidal flood in the estuary. There is one swing bridge across the canal.
The docks were restored between 2003 and 2005, using money from the Heritage Lottery Fund and others, to create a marina and harbour area for seagoing yachts and motor boats. [3] [4] Despite dredging, both the inner and outer lock gates became stuck at times due to more silt. [5] [6] [7] The harbour was declared tidal by the Environment Agency in 2015. [8] An Environment Agency-backed plan to restore the harbour area, dredge the silt, refurbish the sea gates and implement the 'Destination Lydney Harbour' project began in 2020 to make the area a visitor attraction. [9] Artists were engaged to create sculptures by the shore and the A48 road, a visitor hub and café were installed and the access road resurfaced. [10] [11] [12] The 11-metre steel sea gates were removed in April 2023, refurbished in Bridgend and reinstalled in September the same year. The silt build-up was dredged from the tidal basin and the harbour walls renovated. [13] The next stage, to focus on the piers, new pontoons, safety and access improvements was scheduled to begin in spring 2026. [14] [15] [16] [17] [18]
