Andover Canal

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The Andover Canal was a canal built in Hampshire, England. It ran 22 miles (35 km) from Andover to Redbridge through Stockbridge and Romsey. The canal had a fall of 179 feet (55 m) through 24 locks, and for much of its length paralleled the River Anton and River Test.

The first survery for an Andover Canal was carried out in 1770 by Robert Whitworth however this effort failed.^[1]. In 1789 Robert Whitworth carried out another survey and an Act of Parliament was gained on the 13th July ^[1]. The canal was completed in 1794 at a cost of £48,000; £35,000 from shares and £13000 from a loan. The canal locks were built to take boats up to 65ft*8ft 6in^[2]. The main cargos of the canal coal, slates and manure when coming in from Southampton water and agricultural produce when going out although boats were often unable to find cargos for the journey back out to Southampton water.^[2] The canal was never successful enough to pay a dividend until it closed in 1859, when income from the sale to Andover & Redbridge Railway ^[3] produced one. In 1827 the canal was 8 years behind on its interest payments although this had improved to only one year by 1851.^[1]

Much of the length of the canal was converted to a railway, Sprat and Winkle Line, in 1865, and much of this railway has since also been abandoned. As a result, most traces of the canal have completely disappeared, although the remains of a stretch of the canal can still be seen between Timsbury and Romsey.^[4]

[edit] References

^ ^a ^b ^c Charles Hadfield. The Canals of South and South East England, 169-172. ISBN 0-7153-4693-8.
^ ^a ^b P.A.L VineHampshire Waterways ISBN 0-906520-84-3 page 1
^ Russell, Ronald, Lost Canals and Waterways of Britain (1982), page 31 ISBN 0-7153-8072-9
^ Andover Town Central (2000-2006). The Andover Canal. Retrieved February 9, 2006.