When was the Thames and Severn Canal completed?
The Thames and Severn Canal was completed in 1789. Its final section, the 16-lock descent to Inglesham on the Thames, was finished in November 1789, and the total cost of construction reached £250,000.
Questions about Thames and Severn Canal
Short answers, pulled from the story.
How long is Sapperton Tunnel on the Thames and Severn Canal?
Sapperton Tunnel is 3,817 yards long. When it was built, it was the longest canal tunnel in Britain; it has since been exceeded in length only by the tunnels at Standedge in the Pennines and at Strood in Kent.
Why was the Thames and Severn Canal abandoned?
The canal was abandoned in stages because of persistent water supply problems, the loss of long-distance trade to competing routes such as the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Grand Junction Canal, and falling toll revenue caused by railway competition. Most of the canal was formally abandoned in 1927, with the remainder closed in 1941.
Who is working to restore the Thames and Severn Canal?
The Cotswold Canals Trust, formed in 1975 from the earlier Stroudwater Canal Society, leads the restoration effort alongside Stroud District Council and various funding partners. The Stroud Valleys Canal Company, created in March 2009, acts as the holding company for the waterway's assets.
How much Heritage Lottery Fund money has been awarded for the Thames and Severn Canal restoration?
The Heritage Lottery Fund awarded £11.9 million in January 2006 for Phase 1a of the restoration. A further £8.9 million was awarded in October 2020 for Phase 1b, and an additional £800,000 was provided in December 2012 to extend Phase 1a work to Bowbridge.
What are the round houses on the Thames and Severn Canal?
The round houses are five circular three-storey cottages built in the 1790s for lock-keepers and lengthsmen on the canal. Each first floor measures about 16 feet 10 inches in diameter and was fitted with a cooking range. They are listed buildings and stand at Lechlade, Marston Meysey, Cerney Wick, Coates, and Chalford.