Wichelstowe’s ambitious plan to restore and extend the Wilts & Berks Canal has taken another leap forward, as the first half-kilometre stretch east of Mill Lane is now brimming with water and the next phase of construction gets underway.
Members of the Wichelstowe project team were joined this week by Councillor Marina Strinkovsky and representatives from the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, gathering on site to mark what they described as a turning point for the scheme. The work forms part of the wider Wichelstowe LLP partnership, which brings together Barratt Homes Bristol, David Wilson Redrow South West and Swindon Borough Council.
Favourable weather earlier in the year has played its part. Clay dug from the development has been shaped into a traditional puddle lining—a time-tested technique that gives the canal its waterproof base. A hot, dry summer allowed the channel to be formed with fewer interruptions, and the arrival of autumn rain topped it up neatly. Landscaping is now complete, giving this new stretch a finished feel even before the towpath opens.
That towpath will remain closed for the time being, with a temporary route expected to open next year once nearby housebuilding progresses.
Attention has now shifted to the western side of Mill Lane, where work has begun on a new road bridge. This will allow the canal to continue its journey for another 0.5 kilometres. Engineers will also be installing a new canal tunnel beneath the road—echoing the one already in place at Foxham Way by Waitrose—once the temporary construction road is removed.
Councillor Strinkovsky, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Planning and Placemaking, said the latest milestone marks a moment of real transformation.
“The canal is such a defining part of the Wichelstowe vision, and seeing this new section filled with water really shows what’s possible,” she said. “The coming phases will strengthen connections across the neighbourhood, encouraging walking, cycling and creating places where people can relax. It’s an exciting point not just for Wichelstowe, but for Swindon overall.”
Chloe Ford, Chair of the Swindon Branch of the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust, praised the level of skill involved in shaping the waterway.
“The craftsmanship behind a canal corridor is astonishing,” she said. “This stage reflects the commitment of everyone involved. Once finished, the extended length will let us run longer Dragonfly boat trips, including our hugely popular Santa Experiences each December. We’re eagerly awaiting the day when all the sections link and become fully navigable.”
Further southward extension is planned for 2026, before the route turns east to finish just short of Mill Lane. The future final phase will see all new segments linked beneath the road.
Project Director Dan Pavely described the work to date as a team achievement built on patience and precision.
“Creating a canal is unusually dependent on the weather, and using clay lining demands careful timing,” he said. “Having high-quality clay on site has been a real gift, allowing us to build using materials from the land itself. We’re now looking ahead to the western extension and the new bridge—another significant step towards a vibrant waterside destination for Wichelstowe.”
Once complete, the extended waterway will offer a new recreational draw for residents and visitors, with the Wilts & Berks Canal Trust taking on long-term management. Its new walking and cycling links will join the wider landscape of green spaces being delivered across the development.
Wichelstowe itself is one of Swindon’s largest regeneration projects, set to deliver around 3,000 new homes, new schools and community facilities across two decades. The 250-hectare site includes broad stretches of open space, conservation areas, sports pitches, allotments and 12 kilometres of nature trails. With canal paths, play areas and good access to Junction 16 and Swindon station, it aims to offer a community with strong connections both within the development and beyond.
