Restoration River Avon, Warwickshire

bridge @ bidford-on-avon; notice navigation arch @ right

the concept of building new locks , weirs, of work being undertaken volunteers, new. negotiation severn river authority led agreement such works constructed, formalised when private bill put before parliament, became upper avon navigation act 1972. further funding came inland waterways association national restoration fund, launched in 1969. work continued, phase one, covering section evesham bidford bridge, being declared open on 12 june 1971, during iwa boat rally @ bidford. estimated cost complete restoration £250,000, of raised public subscriptions, exception of grant £25,000 department of environment, made @ time of phase 1 opening. project, involved construction of 9 new locks, reopening 17-mile (27 km) navigation had been derelict on 100 years, completed on 1 june 1974, when queen elizabeth queen mother returned stratford declare open. largest project of type date, , hutchings awarded mbe leadership.