The Grand Western Canal near Halberton in Devon
Image details
Contributor:
Michael Dutton / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
EDX7DHFile size:
34.9 MB (2.9 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
4288 x 2848 px | 36.3 x 24.1 cm | 14.3 x 9.5 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
2014Location:
Grand Western Canal near Halberton, Devon, EnglandMore information:
Located in Mid Devon on the banks of the Grand Western Canal, Tiverton Canal Company is a unique canal park tourist attraction that offers an enjoyable family day out for everyone that loves boats, horses, wildlife and water, with free access to the Canal Park all year round.In 1796 an Act of Parliament granted permission for the Grand Western Canal to be built. John Rennie surveyed the canals route and supervised the construction work up to 1814. The first section of the Grand Western Canal was designed and built as a wide canal. Work commenced on the summit section from Lowdells to Tiverton in 1810 and was completed on the 25th August 1814 at the cost of £244, 500. Due in the main to John Rennie's surveying skills and some canal engineering brilliance, the canals water level is completely uninterrupted for the full 11 1/4 mile section, with no locks or lifts necessary, which in part led to this sections future success. The canal is fed by using a number of freshwater springs that are in the bed of the canal between Fenacre bridge and Lowdwells.After many delays, eventually the Grand Western Canal was extended a further 13 1/2 miles from Lowdwells to Taunton (joining up with the Bridgwater and Taunton canal). Work on this section started in 1830 and opened on June 28th 1838. Although, this section was only built as a single/narrow canal (half the width of the Lowdells to Tiverton section) it included 2 locks, 7x lifts and 1 Inclined plane, which together took the tub boats used on this section up and down a height of 262 feet. By the time this section was finished the extension plans from Burlescombe to Topsham (joining up to the Exeter Canal) were abandoned.