This article needs to be updated. The reason given is: Needs to discuss the 2020(ish) regeneration and plans for gate repairs, dredging etc. Relevant discussion may be found on the
talk page. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(May 2022)
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] In 2015 the outer lock gates failed in the open position and are inoperable. Consequently the harbour has become silted up from River Severn mud and is out of use.[citation needed] As of 22 December 2023 the lock gates have been refurbished and refitted and closed, but it is not known if they are currently functioning.
Timeline
1809 – The Lydney and Lydbrook Railway Act enabled construction of a
tramroad from
Lydbrook to
Lydney.[4]
^"Archived copy"(PDF). Archived from
the original(PDF) on 7 September 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2007.{{
cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (
link)
^"Lydney". Ports and Harbours of the UK.
Archived from the original on 15 January 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
Notes: 1 Contains
canalised river. 2 Partly or mostly navigable, and/or under restoration. 3 A system of canals. Canals which form part of this system are not listed here individually.