Bushey Fox swing bridge installed on the canal at Wichelstowe

Bushey Fox Bridge was lifted into position by crane on Monday 13 July 2026, Swindon Borough Council said that day. It crosses a new section of the Wilts & Berks Canal at Wichelstowe, a large residential development being delivered by a joint venture of the council and Barratt Developments.

Where is the new canal?

The new stretch is 600 metres long. It runs south from the Wichelstowe district centre and then turns east towards Mill Lane. A road bridge, Badgers Bridge, has been built alongside. More than £5 million was being invested in the canal works and Badgers Bridge.

The canal was widened at the junction so boats can turn, and the banks outside the engineered sections were given soft edges as habitat for water voles and other wildlife.

How does the swing bridge work?

• The bridge is six metres long and was fabricated off site by EKSPAN.
• It stays locked shut until a boat needs to pass. Canal users then unlock it and swing it open by hand.
• It turns on a bearing and rests in a shelf in the canal bank.
• The deck is a composite containing the equivalent of 140 recycled plastic bottles per square metre.

The name honours the historic Bushey Leaze crossing and the main contractor, Fox (Owmby) Ltd, which built the supporting walls and landing points.

Councillor Matty Courtliff, cabinet member for housing and property, called it "another exciting milestone for Wichelstowe and the restoration of the Wilts & Berks Canal".

Rob Powe, development manager at Wichelstowe LLP, said rain would be needed to fill the canal over the winter.

Source: Swindon Borough Council.