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We regularly dredge Gloucester Docks and the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal to remove silt carried in when water is pumped from the River Severn to maintain canal water levels.
Exceptionally dry summers in 2025 and 2026 has led to low water levels on the river and a high intake of silt, reducing navigation depths in the Docks.
Our latest dredging programme alone is seeing us invest £4 million into removing silt. On this page you can keep up to date with the latest from the dredging campaign and our work to make improvements to the Docks and upper section of the canal.
Read our most frequently asked questions on the programme
The dredging set-up has progressed up the canal and is currently removing silt at High Orchard Bridge.
A long reach excavator is also removing silt from the quay wall in the Docks with the material then being transported away by lorry from this location in the Docks.
Dredging is continuing on a section of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal approaching the Docks and is currently in line with Monk Meadow Marina having covered a distance of 220 metres so far. In that time 3,780 tonnes of silt has been removed from the canal.
The off loading of the silt at Parkend has been progressing well with two tracked swivel dumpers enabling a quicker operation. A total of 21 hoppers full of silt have made their way up the canal to Parkend.
Arrangements are being made for a second dredging team with a long reach excavator that will directly dredge from the quay wall in the Docks.
The second phase of our recovery dredge is underway after the dredging team completed a week-long mobilisation. They mobilised to site on 4 October, spending the first week preparing the craft and equipment that’s being used during the campaign.
Dredging has started, initially focusing on the section of the Gloucester & Sharpness Canal that approaches Gloucester, removing the silt that has built up to affect navigation around the Romans Quay and Monk Meadow Marina.
A disposal site has been prepared at Parkend. The dredged material will be taken here to a lagoon before it’s spread on agricultural fields. An additional site for lorry collections is being prepared at the Docks.
Learn more about the importance of dredging
Last Edited: 12 November 2026
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