2021

SP5374 : Hillmorton Locks

taken 2 years ago, near to Hillmorton, Warwickshire, England

This is 1 of 13 images, with title Hillmorton Locks in this square
Hillmorton Locks
Hillmorton Locks
Major work is being undertaken at Hillmorton Locks. In most locations this would entail a complete stoppage for several weeks but here, because the three sets of locks are paired, it is possible to pass through. Boaters need to be careful, however, to avoid the various work boats and other equipment on site. The name A&R Rothen Ltd is familiar to regular users of the Midlands narrow canal network; the company is based at Atherstone and operates a fleet of specialist narrow beam maintenance vessels and associated plant.
The Oxford Canal

The 78 mile Oxford Canal links Oxford with the Coventry Canal near Bedworth, via Banbury and Rugby. It connects to the River Thames at Oxford, and even combines with the Grand Union Canal for 5 miles near Braunston.

The canal was constructed in stages over about twenty years from 1769 to 1790. James Brindley surveyed and began the work with Samuel Simcock, but following Brindley's death, Simcock took over. By 1774 the canal had reached Napton, and by 1778, Banbury. Lack of money meant that the final stretch to Oxford was not started until 1786. That took three years and the completed canal was finally opened on 1 January 1790.

Being an early canal, it was built to be contour hugging, avoiding changes of water level wherever possible. As a result of increasing competition from the Grand Union Canal, by the late 1820s it was decided that the meandering course needed reducing in mileage, so the northern section was to be reduced by more than 14 miles. Construction, supervised by Sir William Cubitt, started in 1829, and was finished by 1834. A parallel doubling up of the lock flight at Hillmorton was built and the route was straightened in many places, and a new tunnel at Newbold was dug. Not all the planned improvements were made; the final reduction in mileage being nearer 11 miles.
Evidence of the original course can still be seen by perusing aerial images and OS 1:25000 maps. The section south of Napton was never straightened. The railways had arrived and canal decline had started.

Information reduced from Wikipedia LinkExternal link


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright Stephen McKay and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Construction, Development Canals Primary Subject: Canal other tags: Narrowboat Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
This photo is linked from: Articles: · Images shortlisted for POTY 2021 Title Clusters: · Hillmorton Locks [13] ·
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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Grid Square
SP5374, 147 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
Stephen McKay   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Friday, 19 November, 2021   (more nearby)
Submitted
Tuesday, 23 November, 2021
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SP 5382 7431 [10m precision]
WGS84: 52:21.8525N 1:12.6624W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SP 5385 7430
View Direction
WEST (about 270 degrees)
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Image Type (about): geograph 
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