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Gloucester Docks dredging programme: £4 million investment and navigation closure

The Canal & River Trust announced £4 million for Gloucester Docks dredging, scheduled from 5 October 2026. The work targets navigation depths, but the closure notice gives no reopening date.
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The Canal & River Trust announced an enhanced £4 million dredging programme for Gloucester Docks, scheduled to get underway on 5 October 2026. Its 28 September announcement said the Trust had added £2 million to its investment to increase navigation depths and address siltation. A navigation closure notice warned that the channel depth could not be guaranteed and gave no reopening date. The available notices do not confirm whether work began on schedule or provide a later progress update.

What the £4 million announcement covers

On 28 September 2026, the Canal & River Trust said it was committing an extra £2 million, bringing its announced dredging investment for Gloucester Docks to £4 million. The enhanced programme was scheduled to get underway on 5 October. The Trust said the work aims to increase navigation depths, support boaters and waterside businesses, and protect the docks as a leisure, tourism and heritage destination. Canal & River Trust announcement, 28 September 2026.

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The announcement followed concerns from boaters, businesses and local residents about silt levels. It does not name a contractor, set out a final completion date or confirm that the scheduled start took place.

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Why silt has built up in the docks

The Trust attributed increased silt entering the docks to prolonged dry weather, low flows in the River Severn and high tides. In an earlier account published on 5 May 2026, it said exceptionally dry weather in summer 2025 left the Severn at very low levels and resulted in more silt than usual being carried into the docks. The Trust also explained that Severn water feeds the docks and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal. Canal & River Trust, 5 May 2026.

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Dredging removes accumulated material to restore depth, but the Trust says it will also explore measures to reduce the amount of silt entering from the Severn. Regional director Ben Cottam said: “This programme will help restore operational depths across the Docks, but we also need to focus on the future. Alongside dredging, we’ll be investing in measures to try to reduce the amount of silt entering the Docks from the River Severn.”

Where dredging is planned

The Trust’s May update identified these targets:

  • The navigable channel through the Docks basin.
  • The entrance to Gloucester Lock.
  • The canal section before Llanthony Bridge.
  • The entrance to Victoria Basin.
  • Visitor moorings.

That update said a later phase would include further work on the main navigation channel and moorings. It reported that 37,000 tonnes had been removed during a preceding six-month phase and that a further 18,000 tonnes were targeted. Those are figures from the May account, not confirmed totals for the enhanced programme announced in September.

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Can boats enter Gloucester Docks, and when will they reopen?

A Canal & River Trust navigation notice reproduced by Hinton Parish Council said Gloucester Dock navigation would close from 25 September 2026 ahead of dredging scheduled to commence on 5 October. It warned that channel depth could not be guaranteed, advised customers to plan journeys and avoid the docks, and said the Trust could not confirm a reopening date. The timing depended on the scope of dredging and available water levels. The notice was due for review on 30 October 2026. Hinton Parish Council, reproducing the Trust notice, posted 23 September 2026.

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Because the stated review date is still in the future as of 7 October 2026, the notice does not establish the current reopening date or whether its arrangements have changed. Boaters should check the latest Canal & River Trust navigation notice before planning a journey.

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How the reported costs and tonnage fit together

The figures come from separate updates at different points in the work; the Trust has not provided a final audited reconciliation of project cost or completed tonnage in the cited announcements.

Update Reported figure What it describes
5 May 2026 37,000 tonnes removed Material removed during a preceding six-month phase, according to the Trust.
5 May 2026 18,000 tonnes targeted Target for a further programme, according to the Trust.
5 May 2026 About £4.5 million The Trust’s estimated total cost at that time.
28 September 2026 £4 million Announced dredging investment after an additional £2 million commitment.

The September investment announcement should not be treated as a final cost report or as a revision that reconciles the May estimate. The two releases report different figures and do not explain a final accounting.

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