The Cotswold Canals Partnership has begun work on the £24m Cotswold Canals restoration project.

The first phase of the scheme – which aims to refurbish the historic waterways of the Stroudwater Navigation and the Thames & Severn Canal – has been funded by grants from the Heritage Lottery Fund (£11.9m) and the South West Regional Development Agency (£6m).

Construction work will completely restore the 9-km navigation route between Brimscombe Port – once the commercial and operational heart of the waterway – and the rural idyll of Ocean in Stonehouse.

The work will involve the conservation of 30 historic structures, including bridges and locks. A 6-km trail for walkers, cyclists and anglers will be created and rare species such as bats, water voles and crayfish will be protected.

Completion of this phase is expected by 2009.

The restoration scheme – supported by British Waterways – aims to attract around 215,000 visitors to the area. Details: www.cotswoldcanalsproject.org

Photograph: Stanton's Bridge to the east of Stroud, courtesy of BW National Photo Library