Posted on September 17, 2025
The Canal & River Trust is starting an eight-week programme of dredging at Gloucester’s historic docks, which will improve conditions for navigation and benefit boaters, local businesses and tourism.
The charity is set to remove silt that has entered the docks from the River Severn this summer as water was pumped from the river to ensure the daily water supply for Bristol Water, shipping at Sharpness Docks, and keeping boats afloat.
While pumping water from the Severn is standard practice year-round, the prolonged dry weather means water levels on the river have been very low and heavy with silt, and a huge amount has been carried into the docks.
Since the start of August, Gloucester Lock has been temporarily closed to protect the docks and limit further silt from entering. The lock remains closed while river levels return to normal. During the closure the Trust is taking the opportunity to refurbish the lock’s hydraulic cylinders.
Ben Cottam, Wales & South West regional director at Canal & River Trust, said: “Our charity has a responsibility to care for and maintain the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal and Docks. However, this is being impacted by the low water levels in the Severn and the subsequent amounts of silt that are entering the waterway due to the exceptional dry weather.
“With the need to keep the canal topped up with water from the river to ensure it remains navigable, and supplies water for Bristol Water and Sharpness Docks, some silt is unfortunately also being pumped in. Our charity regularly removes this with dredging campaigns in the Docks every year.
Dredging at Gloucester Docks back in April 2023
“During this eight-week programme we’ll be using a digger on a floating platform to remove the silt, which will then be taken off site.
“Back in 2022, another very dry summer led to a dredging campaign which saw us invest £2 million to remove silt from the Docks and canal. As a charity, this is an incredibly expensive cost for us to bear. We’re calling on people to support our work in helping us to keep this iconic part of Gloucester open to the benefit of boaters, local businesses, tourism and people.
“The Docks, and all 16 miles of the canal, are still open for boaters and visitors to come and enjoy while the dredging takes place. While the dredging team is working, visitors can view the work our charity is doing to care for this historic port.”
Navigation of the canal and Docks will remain open throughout the dredging programme, though there may be some mooring restrictions to allow dredging in certain locations.
Canal & River Trust is a charity caring for 2,000 miles of canals and rivers in England and Wales. To find out more or to support through volunteering or making a donation, visit its website.
