Length: 810m/0.5M
O.S. Reference: 357887 to 368882
Water Level height A.O.D.:84.038m (by calculation)
Features:
What Jack Dalby said in 1985:
"To the east the flooded bed has trees on either side. One field length has been partially filled, then, after the remains of Shippery bridge, the canal passes into a cutting where the site of Childrey Bridge now carries a bridleway."
From New Road Bridge, the towpath is a public footpath for about 300 yds; it then veers off and crosses the fields to West Challow. Both banks of the Canal are fairly heavily wooded. The bed holds about a foot of water, and has probably 2 ft. of silt.
| Shortly after leaving New Road Bridge the remains of a wharf wall start, and continue for about 300yds. This is built in the usual limestone and was, when we started, in very poor condition, with numerous trees embedded in it. Most of these were removed, starting at the Big Dig and subsequently, and much of the wharf wall has been rebuilt, using conblocks below the water level. The picture shows the team at work during the Week of Work, 1-7 August 2005 |
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The Canal continues for a further 200-odd yards in a rather overgrown condition.
Work has started, a drainage channel has been dug along the length leading to an outfall at the eastern end, where a spillweir/runoff point will be constructed.
| A few yards further on the bed is again visible with tree and shrub growth on either side, up to Childrey Bridge, in a deepening cutting. Some clearance of this section was done during the Big Dig. The bridge carries a well-used bridle path. It also appears to carry a water pipe. |
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Childrey Bridge has been lowered and infilled; a single 24" concrete pipe allows water to flow along the Canal line.Some of the bricks have been used to build up the sided of the infill. Parts of the wing walls are visible. A view of the infilled bridgehole from the East. |
| The Canal bed, looking east from Childrey Bridge towards West Challow Bridge |  |
On the north side of the Canal the hump in the field where the spoil was dumped, is clearly visible.
From here the Canal continues ifor another hundred yards in a fairly deep cutting, with fairly deep water at times, alongside a field. Childrey Brook enters at the east end of this length, which may be high enough to provide a water supply.
For the final hundred yards or so the towpath side is bordered by a church and some gardens, with a field on the off side, up to the site of West Challow Bridge.
| Looking west from West Challow Bridge. |
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| West Challow Bridge may need a slight rise in the road level to provide navigable headroom. |  |
Much of the section was cleared at the Big Dig in 1991, and more work has been done since. After an interval of a few years caused by ownership problems, work on much of teh site is now proceeding.
The towpath is a Public Right of Way for a short distance, it then turns left and goes off diagonally across the field.
The bridleway from West Challow Village Hall to Childrey crosses the Canal on the infilled Childrey Bridge.
Childrey Brook enters the Canal near its eastern end, and it is hoped that this can be utilised.
From Childrey Bridge, the bridleway leads up the hill to the north, to Childrey. The local hostelry is The Hatchet.
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