Dundas Aqueduct

Coordinates: 51°21′42″N 2°18′38″W / 51.3616°N 2.3105°W / 51.3616; -2.3105
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Dundas Aqueduct
John Rennie
Construction start1797
Construction end1801
Opened1805
Rebuilt1984
Location
Map

Dundas Aqueduct (grid reference ST785625) is an aqueduct in England which carries the Kennet and Avon Canal over the River Avon (the Somerset / Wiltshire border) and the Wessex Main Line railway. The aqueduct is near Monkton Combe, Somerset, and is about 2+1⁄2 miles (4 km) south-east of the city of Bath.

It was designed by

Bath Stone, with Doric pilasters, and balustrades at each end.[2] The central semi-circular arch spans 64 feet (19.5 m); the two oval side arches span 20 feet (6.1 m).[3]

The canal crosses back across the Avon and the railway on another aqueduct at Avoncliff. This diversion onto the right bank of the Avon avoids the steep sides of the river valley at Limpley Stoke, and the need to cross the Midford Brook and River Frome.

It is a Grade I listed building,[4] and was the first canal structure to be designated as a scheduled monument in 1951.

Over many years, leaks had developed and the aqueduct was closed in 1954. For a while in the 1960s and 1970s, the canal was dry and it was possible to walk along the bed on each side of the river, as well as through the aqueduct itself. The aqueduct was relined with

polythene and concrete and restored, reopening in 1984.[5] Care was taken not to disturb a colony of bats living under the aqueduct.[2]

Aqueduct from the eastern end. The canal boat in the picture can turn left to moorings on the only remaining section of the Somerset Coal Canal or turn right to traverse the last few miles of the canal into the city of Bath
. The walls of the Aqueduct can be seen on the left and right; the river and railway are unseen far below.

The aqueduct is also the junction between the Kennet and Avon Canal and the largely derelict Somerset Coal Canal. The short stretch of the Somerset Coal Canal still in water forms Brassknocker Basin, used for boat moorings, cycle hire and a cafe,[6] and is next to Dundas Wharf where the small tollhouse, warehouse and crane still stand. The stretch of river below and above the aqueduct is used by Monkton Combe School Boat Club (Monkton Bluefriars) up to six days a week,[7] since at least the 1960s. At the opposite (Wiltshire) end of the aqueduct a wharf was constructed serving the Conkwell stone quarries.[8]

Between 2002 and 2004, further restoration was undertaken that included replacing

Bath Stone to match the original work.[9]

In 2015, the railway below the aqueduct was lowered to allow the route to be used as a diversionary route for freight trains in the future. Network Rail published a time-lapse video of the work.[10]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Dundas Aqueduct.
  • List of canal aqueducts in Great Britain

References

  1. ISBN 0-7277-2576-9
    .
  2. ^
    ISBN 0-907864-97-X
    .
  3. ^ "Dundas Aqueduct". Kennet & Avon Canal. Archived from the original on 12 August 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2006.
  4. ^ Historic England. "Dundas Aqueduct (1215193)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 31 January 2021.
  5. ISBN 0-948975-15-6
    .
  6. ^ "Dundas Aqueduct". Canal and Rivers Trust. Retrieved 14 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Dundas Wharf Project". Claverton Pumping Station. Retrieved 14 September 2006.
  8. ISBN 0-948975-58-X
    .
  9. ^ "Dundas Aqueduct". British Waterways. Archived from the original on 18 March 2012. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  10. ^ "Great Western Route Modernisation - Bath and North East Somerset". Network Rail. 15 November 2015. Archived from the original on 21 September 2015. Retrieved 13 December 2015.
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