The announcement follows concerns raised by boaters, businesses and local residents about the impact of silt levels within the Docks.
The enhanced programme
We're increasing investment following the exceptional conditions experienced this year, with prolonged dry weather, low river flows and high tides contributing to increased silt being carried into the Docks from the River Severn.
The enhanced programme, getting underway on 5 October, will increase navigation depths, support boaters and waterside businesses, and help safeguard Gloucester Docks' role as one of the region's most important leisure, tourism and heritage destinations.
Alongside dredging, we will explore further measures that could be taken to reduce future silt coming in from the River Severn and improve the long-term resilience of the Docks.
Securing additional funding for a project of this scale has been challenging, but believes the investment is essential given the importance of the Docks to the city and region.
Helping restore operational depths
Ben Cottam, our regional director, said: "We know people are frustrated by the impact that siltation has had in Gloucester Docks and we completely understand those concerns. Boaters, businesses, residents and visitors rightly cherish the Docks and want them to be well maintained, and that's why we are doubling our investment to address the problem.
"As a charity, we don't have spare funds sitting on the shelf for challenges like this. Delivering this additional investment will require us to identify funding from within our wider programme, reflecting the importance of Gloucester Docks to local people, businesses and boaters and our determination to address the issue.
"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.
"Beyond this we will look to engage with partners across local government, community, business and commercial partners as part of an exercise to identify future priorities for the Docks and Canal, which will help inform investment decisions in coming years.
"As Gloucester Docks celebrates its bicentenary, we want local communities and businesses to know that we remain committed to doing all we can."
