Westport Canal
Westport Canal | |
---|---|
Specifications | |
Locks | 1 + a flood gate |
Status | Derelict |
History | |
Original owner | Parrett Navigation Company |
Principal engineer | William Gravatt |
Date of act | 1836 |
Date of first use | 1840 |
Date closed | 1875 |
Geography | |
Start point | Westport |
End point | Muchelney |
Branch of | River Parrett |
The Westport Canal was built in the late 1830s to link
The channel has survived to the modern day due to its drainage function, and many of the structures associated with the canal can still be seen. A number of them are on the listed building register because of their historic importance. There is some interest in improving the canal for its amenity value.
History
By the 1830s, the village of Westport was well-connected to the surrounding area, as a result of turnpike road construction in 1753, 1759 and 1823. The roads linked Westport to Ilminster and Chard, which were also on the planned route of the Chard Canal. Although that canal would link the towns to Taunton, those planning the Westport Canal made approaches to the Chard Canal proprietors about the possibility of a link from Westport to the new canal, but this was rejected.[2]
Against this background, and having engaged
On Brunel's recommendation, the engineer for the whole scheme was William Gravatt, who had previously worked with Brunel on the Bristol and Exeter Railway, and he was assisted locally by Charles Hodgkinson. The cost of the initial work on the River Parrett exceeded the budget, and a second Act of Parliament was obtained in 1839, to allow the company to raise another £20,000 and to increase the tolls. Local merchants sought to oppose the increase by opposing the bill, but Benjamin Lovibond, who was acting for them at the House of Commons, produced a petition, which was investigated by a Select Committee and found to be forged.[7]
The route from Langport followed the River Parrett to its junction with the River Isle. Here a lock was built, to maintain the water levels on the River Isle, and about one mile (1.6 km) further upstream, the 2.3-mile (3.7 km) canal turned off towards Westport, where five wharfs and a basin were built. A half lock at the junction protected the canal from high river levels.[6] Gravatt is known to have designed an innovative set of flood gates as part of the project, which were described as "self-acting".[8] The canal was officially opened on 20 May 1839, but there were complains about water levels from some of the merchants, and further work was required to remove shoals in the river section.[6] The project was completed in 1840, and was initially profitable.[4] The Westport terminus gained two warehouses, a coal yard owned by Stukey and Bagehot, and a manager's office. Despite the opening of the Chard canal in 1842, Stukey and Bagehot's boats alone paid tolls on 10,402 tons of goods in 1843.[6] The main cargoes were coal, which was brought to the villages served by the canal, and grain, which was exported via the canal.[9] Other cargoes included incoming timber, which was stored in one of the warehouses for seasoning, together with outgoing stone and reeds.[10]
However, competition arrived in the form of the Durston to Yeovil Railway, started in 1847 and completed in 1853.
Today
The canal still contains water, and can be navigated by light craft such as canoes, which can be portaged at Midelney lock. Some refurbishment of the canal was carried out by Wessex Water Authority in the 1970s.[14] Midelney lock is derelict, and the Westmoor Lane bridge at Hambridge has been lowered.[5] The bridge at the entrance to Westport wharfs has been refurbished,[15] as have the terminal warehouse buildings.[2] There is local interest in improving the canal as an amenity, and possibly the restoration of navigation for small boats.[9]
Route
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The canal terminated at Westport, and there are a number of structures which have survived. The square, 3-storey warehouse which was built in 1836 and fronted onto the basin is
Near Hambridge, the towpath crosses back to the west bank, after which Westmoor bridge crosses. This has been lowered, and would prevent navigation. A little before the River Isle joins from the west, Middlemoor bridge carries the towpath back onto the east bank, where it remains until Midelney Bridge, another grade II listed structure,[22] which carries a minor road to Midelney Manor, a grade I listed house built on what was once an island owned by Muchelney Abbey. Much of it is sixteenth century, with some nineteenth century additions.[23] Below the bridge, the Southmoor main drain runs parallel to the channel, with the towpath sandwiched between the two on the western bank. Finally it reaches the derelict Midelney lock. Close by is Midelney pumping station, which was built in the 1960s[24] at the head of Westmoor main drain.
Point | Coordinates (Links to map resources) |
OS Grid Ref | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
River Parrett Junction | 51°00′32″N 2°49′55″W / 51.009°N 2.832°W | ST417235 | Rivers Isle and Parrett |
Midelney Lock | 51°00′29″N 2°50′02″W / 51.008°N 2.834°W | ST416234 | disused |
Westport Canal start | 51°00′00″N 2°51′00″W / 51.000°N 2.850°W | ST404226 | Junction with River Isle |
Westmoor bridge | 50°59′24″N 2°51′11″W / 50.990°N 2.853°W | ST401215 | lowered |
Westport wharfs | 50°58′30″N 2°52′41″W / 50.975°N 2.878°W | ST384194 |
Bibliography
- Body, G; Gallop, R (2006). Parrett River Trade. Fiducia Press. ISBN 978-0-946217-25-0.
- Cross-Rudkin, Peter; et al. (2008). A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland: Vol 2: 1830 to 1890. Thomas Telford. ISBN 978-0-7277-3504-1.
- Cumberlidge, Jane (2009). Inland Waterways of Great Britain, 8th Ed. Imray Laurie Norie and Wilson. ISBN 978-1-84623-010-3.
- Dunning, Robert (1983). A History of Somerset. Chichester: Phillimore & Co. ISBN 978-0-85033-461-6.
- Hadfield, Charles (1967). The Canals of South West England. ISBN 978-0-7153-4176-6.
- Russell, Ronald (1971). Lost Canals of England and Wales. Newton Abbot: ISBN 978-0-7153-5417-9.
References
- ^ Dunning 1983
- ^ a b Body & Gallop 2006, pp. 29–30
- ^ Hadfield 1967, p. 85
- ^ a b c d "Somerset Country Archives". Archived from the original on 2 May 2006.
- ^ a b c Russell 1971
- ^ a b c d Body & Gallop 2006, p. 31
- ^ Hadfield 1967, p. 86.
- ^ Cross-Rudkin 2008, p. 347
- ^ a b South Somerset Villages Plan
- ^ Body & Gallop 2006, pp. 31–32.
- ^ Hadfield 1967, p. 90
- ^ Body & Gallop 2006, p. 32.
- ^ Hadfield 1967, pp. 90–91.
- ^ Cumberlidge 2009, p. 247
- ^ Geograph archive
- ^ Historic England. "Warehouse on quayside (1236448)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ^ Historic England. "Timber store at former canal basin (1056911)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ^ Historic England. "Pair of canal workers cottages (1222018)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ^ Historic England. "Canal bridge at entrance to former canal basin (1345946)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ^ Historic England. "Canal bridge, Hambridge and Westport (1236420)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ^ Ordnance Survey, 1:25,000 map
- ^ Historic England. "Midelney Bridge on road to Midelney Manor (1345913)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ^ Historic England. "Midelney Manor (1056918)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 April 2011.
- ^ Interpretation sign at the pumping station