STROUD’S canal project has won a prestigious national award.

The restored waterway between Stonehouse and Bowbridge came top of the Restoration and Historic Environment Category of the 2015 Living Waterways Awards.

The awards, organised by the Canal & River Trust, were set up to recognise the most inspiring and exciting waterway-based improvement projects across the UK.

The judges, who come from the environmental, engineering, architecture and regeneration sectors, said: “This £20 million restoration project has transformed a massive swathe of derelict and contaminated land back into a pleasant waterway environment which supports diverse flora and fauna.

"And it has embraced the involvement of the local community in all aspects of investigation, planning and physical restoration.”

The award was presented at a special ceremony in London, which was attended by representatives of Stroud District Council’s canal team, the Cotswold Canals Trust, Stroud Valleys Canal Company and the project’s volunteers.

Accepting the award was Cllr Geoff Wheeler, leader of Stroud District Council (SDC), which has led restoration of the canal since 2009.

“It is great that all the hard work to transform and revitalise this area over the last six years has been acknowledged and appreciated,” said Cllr Wheeler.

“Staff and volunteers have carried out sterling work to restore seven locks, build eight new bridges, open up 6km of canal channel and upgrade nine km of towpath.”

Richard Parry, chief executive of the Canal & River Trust, said: “We are thrilled to announce the winners of the 2015 Living Waterways Awards - celebrating and recognising the individuals, communities and organisations that have done the most to make a difference to the nation’s rivers, canals, lochs, lakes, reservoirs and docks.

“These really are incredible achievements and by shining a spotlight on what has been delivered to make our historic waterways exciting places to live, learn and spend time, we hope these transformative projects will inspire others to embark on similar schemes across the network.”

The £20M first phase of the canal project in Stroud was funded mainly by the Heritage Lottery Fund, Stroud District Council and the Cotswold Canals Trust – and supported by an army of volunteers who, since 2013, have given 48,000 hours to the project.

Cllr Wheeler said: “The volunteers have been a major factor in the success of this project.

“They have cheerfully given up their free time, working steadily with us, often in wet and freezing conditions. They have gained new skills and new friends and helped us complete a significant amount of the work. Without them the project simply would not have been possible.”

The Cotswold Canals Trust is now leading a £15 million bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund, which, if successful, will lead to the next stage – restoration of the canal between Stonehouse and Saul Junction.

Stroud District Council is working closely with the Trust in support of the bid.

Cllr Wheeler added: “With the Lottery Fund bid to be submitted at the end of November, this award is a very timely reminder of the fantastic job which has been done.

“It underlines the heritage, education, economic and leisure benefits which restoration has brought about. Restoring the next section would bring many more benefits and this award shows there is an excellent case for continuing the job.”

The lottery bid will be submitted at the end of November with the outcome expected in the spring.