THE Dean Forest Railway has joined forces with Lydney Yacht Club commodore Eric Witheridge in a visionary plan to link up Lydney's regenerated docks area with the centre of the town.
Early discussions about opening a water taxi to take people from the harbour to the steam railway station at Lydney Junction started on Friday.
The water taxi would take tourists on a two mile float up the canal, past beautiful scenery alongside the river to the steam railway station.
Eric Witheridge, who gave the Review his personal views, not those of the Yacht Club, said some canal boats only draw a few inches and would be able to get down the waterway without dredging.
For the project to work, the grade II listed swing bridge at the gateway to the marina would need to be repaired.
The team are looking for people who can help them with funding applications and investment, as well as advice on what to do next.
Doug Morris, director of funding and special projects for the Dean Foest Railway, says he is excited about the opportunities to increase local tourism.
He said: "Lydney is the gateway to the Forest and we should use this opportunity to bring more people into the area.
"When people visit the docks we have to offer something that will encourage them to stay."
Railway press officer Terry Palin said: "Millions of pounds have been spent on the regeneration of Lydney Docks and we can't capitalise on it at the moment.
"There are no shops at the harbour and there is very little parking here for tourists, but plenty at Norchard.
"The industrial history of the dock ties in nicely with the theme of the railway."
There is currently a waiting list to moor boats in the marina and opening the canal further would give another 1.8km of wall to moor boats.
Railway and water service connections are popular attractions at Lake Windermere and on the River Dart in Devon.
Eric said: "I understand the long term plan for Lydney is to move the centre closer to the Pine End works, with housing and hotels.
"This is just my personal opinion, but I thing we need to do two things. We need to bring trade into Lydney or the place is going to die.
"If this is the case, then why not do something we are good at and build on the success of two of our tourist attractions?"
"This development would be sympathetic to the area, not yuppy hutches and 400 bed hotels! Now we need to get other people onside.
"The problem with dredging the canal appears to be the cost of transporting and disposing of contaminated mud.
"However, I still believe that this is a much lower cost scheme than the proposals I have seen for the docks so far and would, I believe, generate income much more quickly and effectively.
"Perhaps some of the local traders who are complaining about the decline in business in Lydney might be persuaded to help?"