STATUS
The greater part of this site, going north from Sodom Lane, is private.
The owners of the short length south of Bowds Lane do not mind visitors, and we have permission to work here.
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What Jack Dalby said in 1985. "The next 4.2 Km of bed is intact up to 036814..... " |
The section is dead straight, about a quarter of a mile long.
| The channel is unobstructed over the whole length, and appears not to have been deliberately filled, but silted nearly up to water level with a heavy growth of reeds etc. | |
A third of the way up is a culvert under the canal. At this point the canal bank is damaged on the northern (uphill) side, and the water floods an area of the adjacent field and then passes through the culvert to the south side. From here it crosses the adjoining field in a ditch and enters a tree-infested swamp north of the railway.
Towards the top end is Seven Locks No. 1, almost invisible. Investigation shows it to have been robbed down to water level all round, including the top cill etc. The small amount visible suggests that the lower part, filled with clay, is in pretty good condition and can probably be built on.
| Above this is a short, wide pound leading to Seven Locks No. 2. It is traversed by a culvert, carrying a ditch or stream, which appears to be in good condition, though the western portal needs some repair. The eastern portal has not, as far as I know, been inspected. To the south of the lock, a culvert under Bowds Lane supplies the pound with water from the pound above, via the overflow weir at Brooker's Dam. This should obviate the need for a by-wash around Lock 2. |
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Lock 2, at the northern end, was originally spanned (across the chamber) by a lift bridge. A photo exists, taken after abandonment, after the lifting mechanism had been removed.
The lower wing walls of the lock are fairly complete, and presumably the chamber exists under the road, where it has been infilled.
The bottom section appers to be normally full of water, which exits through a pipe under Sodom Lane.
The towpath has been cleared, leaving several trees on the canal side, and makes a very pleasant walk. It does, however, need regular maintenance.
Some towpath clearance was done by a NACRO working party during 1988.
Some investigation was done on lock 1, around the same time. It was found that the whole lock, including the top cill, had been robbed down to water level. What remains of the walls appears to be in good condition.
Work started on the pound above Lock 1 in 1999, with a view to clearing and watering the pound.
Work has been discontinued at present (early 2000) pending the outcome of negotiations with the Environment Agency.
The section is fed by a culvert under Bowds Lane from the pound above Lock 2.
The towpath is not a public right of way. However the northern end has been cleared and walking is permitted as far as the barbed wire fence which crosses the towpath just above Lock 1.
None within sensible walking distance.
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