Arbury Canals

The Arbury Canals were a system of private canals, in the Arbury Estate, between Nuneaton and Bedworth in Warwickshire, England. They connected with the Coventry Canal.

Geography

The Arbury Canals consisted of two parts: The Griff Hollows Canal which was an arm from the Coventry Canal linking to the colliery at Griff.

About one mile to the south, the main system of the canals connected the Coventry Canal to the Arbury Estate, and were used to transport coal and carry produce around the estate. Both canals gained water from Seaswood Pool, just northeast of the village of Astley.

There were several branches from the main line including the Seeswood Canal which linked to Seeswood Pool, and a short branch to Hall Pool, one of the pools on the estate where water was stored.

The entire system was approximately 6 miles (10 km) long, and included thirteen locks, each 40 ft by 6 ft (12.1 by 1.8 metres). One unusual feature was the Triple Lock, which had a 'Y' shaped chamber, with two separate entrances from above, leading to different branches.

History

The system was constructed by Sir Roger Newdigate, MP and the owner of Arbury Hall. Newdigate was a canal enthusiast, and he had the canals constructed around his estate between 1769 and 1796 from various streams and pools. The Griff Hollows Canal was constructed in 1787.

After Newdigate's death in 1806, the system fell into gradual disuse, and by 1819, the upper levels were no longer navigable. From this date the locks were replaced with weirs, and only the canal linking directly with the Coventry Canal remained navigable.

The Griff Hollows Canal remained in commercial use until the colliery closed in 1961. It remained navigable until 1973, when a road was constructed over it. The entrance can still be seen, and it still supplies water to the Coventry Canal.

Today a few remains of the canal remain visible within the Arbury Estate.

Reference

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* Russell, Ronald. (1983) Lost Canals & Waterways of Britain, Sphere Books Ltd, ISBN 0-7221-7562-0