Wisbech Canal

The Wisbech Canal was a broad canal near Wisbech in the Fenland area of Cambridgeshire, England. It ran from the River Nene at Wisbech to the Well Creek at Outwell, which gave access to the River Ouse. It was abandoned in 1926 and filled in during the 1970's.

History

The canal was authorised by an Act of Parliament (34 George III. Cap. 92) which was granted on 9 May 1794. This Act formed "The Wisbech Canal Company", which had powers to raise £14,000, with an option to raise an additional £6,000 if required. This was to be used to construct the canal which ran from a junction with the River Nene at Wisbech, to a junction with the Well Creek and the Old River Nene at Outwell. The Well Creek connects to the Great Ouse. In addition, the company had powers to maintain and improve the river from Outwell Church to Salter's Lode Sluice on the Old River Nene. All traffic passing between the canal and the Nene River was required to pay a toll, which was to be used to maintain the Well Creek. [http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/PNRC0702.htm#PNRCWSBC Joseph Priestley, (1831), Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals and Railways of Great Britain] ]

Because of the low level of the Fens landscape, the canal was constructed on embankments for most of its 5.25 mile (8.4km) length, and was opened in 1797. Flood locks were constructed at both ends of the canal. It did not have its own water supply, but was refilled with water at each high tide.Jane Cumberlidge, (1998), "Inland Waterways of Great Britain", 7th Ed., Imray Laurie Norie and Wilson, ISBN 0-85288-355-2]

In 1883, the Wisbech and Upwell Tramway opened, running from Wisbech to Outwell and following a route along the course of the canal. It was extended to Upwell in 1884. Initially, there was some benefit to the canal, as coal was transported by the railway to Outwell, and loaded into boats by chutes. However, the railways steadily took the trade, and in 1914, the tolls collected only amounted to £56. [http://www.lner.info/article/wisbech/history.shtml LNER:The Wisbech and Upwell Tramway] ] All traffic ceased in 1922, [ [http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/History28.html Jim Shead: Waterways History] ] and the canal was formally abandoned on 14 June 1926, when a warrant for its closure was obtained from the Minister of Transport.

The canal remained in a derelict state until the early 1970s, when the Wisbech end was filled in to allow the A1101 Churchill Road link to be built without destroying the historic town centre. [ [http://www.wisbechmuseum.org.uk/virtualtour_wisbech1945.htm Wisbech Museum virtual tour] ] Much of the rest of the canal was used as a landfill site, and consequently any development within 270 yd (250m) of the former line of the canal requires special consent from Cambridgeshire County Council's Waste Management Services department. [ [http://www.fenland.gov.uk/assets/localplan/downloads/part2/Colletts%20Bridge/Colletts%20Bridge.pdf Fenland Local Plan: Colletts Bridge] ]

References

ee also

*Canals of Great Britain
*History of the British canal system