HAYES KNOLL

STATUS
The Trust has recently purchased the site of Hayes Knoll Lock, work has commenced.
Restoration of the River Key Aqueduct, though not the Canal over it, is nearing completion. We do not have access to any other parts of this length

Features: Hayes Knoll Lock and Tailbridge 104907 Hayes Oak Farm Bridge 103909 South Meadow Lane Bridge 103914 Farfield Lane Bridge 100918 Ballickacre Farm Bridge 099920

DESCRIPTION

What Jack Dalby said in 1985:
"Hayes Knoll lock and bridge are not to be found but to the south of the site some 100 metres of the bed are still clear and watered."

The Canal passes through Crosslanes Farm alongside the road and traverses Hays Knoll, presumably in a cutting; a short length is still in water.
Beyond this is a field entrance.

Hayes Knoll Lock After lengthy negotiations, the site of Hayes Knoll Lock was purchased and excavation started in July 2005. The remaining brickwork is in very poor condition and will require extensive rebuilding. The lock originally had a tailbridge which has been demolished and infilled and now serves as a field entrance. This will be difficult to rebuild owing to its closeness to the road.   Picture taken 17.1.2008 - in the rain

Hayes Knoll Farm Entrance will require an access bridge at 103909; and another bridge will be required at South Meadow Lane, 102913.
The Canal then continues parallel to the road up to Farfield Lane Bridge, which is also the access bridge for Ballickacre Farm.

The Canal continues alongside the road from Farfield Lane Bridge to Ballickacre Farm Bridge. The picture shows the canal approaching the latter, alongside the hedge in the middle distance. Judging by the vegetation in the nearground, the Canal was infilled by pushing the field in to it, leaving the ground low-lying and wet. Restoration of the Canal here could have a beneficial effect on the field.   Photo taken 2.6.2002.

Ballickacre Farm Bridge The bridge is rather close to the main road, which may make it tricky to fit in a fixed bridge. But heaven forfend that we should put in yet another lift bridge!   Photo taken 2.6.2002.

The Canal begins to deviate from the road at this point.

To take a walk up the infilled Canal to the aqueduct (no public right of way) click here.

	River Key Aqueduct The aqueduct itself is a handsome brick and stone structure, in reasonably good condition. The Canal bed over the top is completely infilled and carries a farm track. Restoration started in January 2000 by the then newly-formed Cricklade Branch. Restoration of the faces is now virtually complete, the parapet wall awaits the imminent arrrival of the coping stones. The two western culverts have neen cleared and repaired, and work started in early 2005 on clearing the eastern culvert; this will be completed in the next few weeks. Much work has been done in clearing the river bed, which was causing flooding in the immediate area.   Photo taken 12.12.2004.
Clearing the first two arches, using a barrow hoist.   Photo taken 12.12.2004.
	Progress to date in the eastern arch. Unlike Moredon Aqueduct, where the whole structure was built on a flat wooden platform, with semicircular arches, this aqueduct has circular (or maybe elliptical) arches - the first time we have found this technique on a large structure.   Photo taken 2.6.2002.

Cricklade Road Bridge There is no trace of the road bridge; I guess it must have been quite a hump. The track of the Canal across the road is shown. This indicates a skew bridge; I would expect that the road had a joggle to cross the Canal at right angles, therefore must have been re-aligned. The hump must have been removed at the same time.

WATER SUPPLIES

None on this section. Water will have to be supplied by lockage from the summit pound.

RIGHTS OF WAY

The Canal can be viewed for the whole length from the road; which, according to the map, has neither a name nor a number.

HOSTELRIES

None in the area.

New Line

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