STATUS
The western end of this length can be walked, following a public footpath.
The remainder of the section is private. We do not have permission to work on any part of this section.
Features:
|
What Jack Dalby said in 1985. "From the road to 037814, approximately 100 metres, is infilled. Another 350 metre filling extends from 042817 to 045818 passing Hart Farm Bridge, now in a precarious state. The next 0.8 Km holds water and is planted with bat willows, a commercial crop.At 052816 Vastern Wharf site is covered by a wood yard. |
The first field length is infilled, but the towpath hedge is still on
the lower side embankment; half way across the field the Canal comes
onto a small embankment, which is still there. Over the field boundary
at 037814 the Canal is there, well wooded, on an embankment; on the
right (south) side there is a small lake, almost as overgrown as the
Canal; the footpath runs between this and the embankment, i.e. probably
on the non-towpath side. At the end of the lake the footpath turns
sharp right (South) but the Canal can still be followed. A short
stretch here holds water, and is marked on the Landranger map as a blue
outline, 1.5mm long =37.5 metres. After a few yards the Canal turns
left to go round a small hill; it is fenced off at the next field
boundary and I did not pursue it any further.
Approaching Vastern woodyard, the Canal is wet, and heavily wooded
(possibly the bat willows mentioned above, hopelessly overgrown). It
then disappears under the massive overfill where the woodyard has been
built up tens of feet over the bed. It becomes visible again on the
other side, approaching the old road, but is very heavily overgrown. I
tried to force a way through to inspect the remains of the bridge, but
could not get anywhere near. It is in a cutting at this point, and the
old bridge appears to have ample headroom.
On the other side of the old road, the Canal is infilled and forms a
very fine lawn; the A3102 then crosses at about water level.
We have no permission to work anywhere on this section.
It is hoped that when the Dunnington Farm development takes place, the A3102 will be diverted to the north of the Canal, and a bridge at the current crossing point will not be necessary.
From Tokenham Bridge, a public footpath runs along the south side of the Canal for 250 meters/275 yds.
The Canal runs along the side of a hill, so some water must run into it; but there are no streams or drains marked on the O.S. map. This level would be watered by Tokenham Reservoir.
This is a rural stretch, you will have to wait till you get to Wootton Bassett.
| Previous section |