You are in [Themes] [Transport] [Kennet and Avon Canal] [The Restoration of the Canal]
In 1954 the British Transport Commission planned to close the canal, but this triggered a major outcry. John Gould appealed to the High Court for an injunction to prevent the BTC allowing further deterioration of the Kennet and Avon. He delivered a petition of 20,000 signatures to The Queen. Questions were asked in parliament, and a Committee of Inquiry was set up.
A new dawn in the life of the Kennet and Avon canal was about to appear.
Volunteers were enthused to begin the process of clearing the canal of years of debris. In 1961 the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust established; in 1963 the Kennet and Avon was taken over by "British Waterways".
Restoration work began. After huge endeavours by keen volunteers and other professional workers, the restoration gathered pace.
Re-opening at Hungerford:
On 20 July 1974 the canal was officially re-opened to Hungerford wharf (175 years after its original opening to Hungerford).
See
- Canal re-opening programme, 20 Jul 1974.
The 'Rose of Hungerford': The Rose of Hungerford trip boat has played a key part in the enjoyment of the canal at Hungerford. It was launched at Great Bedwyn in Aug 1982, and the Official Commissioning of the "Rose of Hungerford" took place at Hungerford on Sat 6 Mar 1983. See
- "The 'Rose of Hungerford' takes to the water", NWN Aug 1982.
- The invitation to the Commissioning, 26 Mar 1983.
- "Hungerford's canal boat is christened", NWN 31 Mar 1983.
- "Rose of Hungerford" promotional leaflet, c1983.
Work continued to restore the entire canal to service, and on 4 August 1990 the re-opening of the entire canal was celebrated at Hungerford wharf.
Grand Re-opening at Devizes:
The grand official opening was by HM The Queen on board The Rose of Hungerford at Caen Hill on 8 August 1990 - recognising both the importance of Hungerford in the original conception of the canal, and the fact that it was at Caen Hill that the canal had been completed in 1810 (180 years earlier).
Follow this to view a plan of the phases of restoration was produced to celebrate the grand re-opening on 8 August 1990.
The restoration had taken about 30 years of hard work, but even then it was not absolutely complete. Much further work was required to install back pumps at several locations, and to improve further various locks and bridges. The Kennet and Avon project was successful in achieving the largest ever National Lottery funding - £25 million in 1998.
Now fully restored, the work of ongoing maintenance continues.
The canal is in greater use now than at any time in its 200 year history. Its activities include:
- Narrow Boats
- Day trips (e.g. The Rose)
- Fishing (Hungerford Canal Angling Association was
formed in 1900)
- Walking
- Cycling
- Canoeing
- Commercial
In 2010 the Kennet and Avon Canal was reclassified from "remainder" waterway to "cruiseway" status – ensuring its future funding.
Its engineering highlights include:
- Caen Hill flight
- Avoncliff Aqueduct
- Dundas Aqueduct
- Bruce Tunnel
- Crofton Pumping Station
- Claverton Pumping Station
Above all, it passes through some magnificent scenery. The bicentenary was recognised by Kirsten Elliott in her book "Queen of Waters".
Strengthening the High Street Canal Bridge:
Hungerford's beautiful canal bridge carrying the High Street over the canal was designed by John Rennie and built c.1797-98.
The canal passes through the heart of the town, and a number of houses, seven in all, had to be purchased and demolished. On the east side of the High Street were the homes of William Marchant, John Sherman and Henry head. On the west of the street were the homes of General Williamson (for "Stoney Hall"), William Dubber, Mary Lewington, and Robert Welsham.
The magnificent road bridge was built, and compensation was paid to a number of local land and property owners.
Follow this link to see John Rennie's 1794 plans for the proposed Kennet & Avon Canal through Hungerford, and the list of proprietors affected.
The canal was officially opened to Hungerford wharf on 9th October 1798.
The bridge is Listed Grade II: "Canal Bridge. Late C18. Brick with stone capping to parapet. Plain single arched bridge with long wing walls abutting road."
Dr. Jimmy Whittaker adds: "In 2001, its load-carrying capacity was assessed by West Berkshire Council as only 3 tonnes, quite astonishing when even a 2-axle lorry could weigh up to 18 tonnes! A feasibility study carried out by Jacobs Babtie, the council’s consultants, concluded that “retro-reinforcement” of the arch ring was the most advantageous strengthening solution in terms of cost, safety, traffic disruption, and inconvenience caused to nearby residents.
An engineer at Bersche-Rolt, an award-winning structural repair company came up with a design that included the installation of stainless-steel reinforcement in holes drilled below the surface of the intrados to form a network of sub-surface reinforcement across the arch barrel, which left the appearance of the brickwork unaltered.
In 2004 Bersche-Rolt's work to the Hungerford Canal Bridge was recognised at the Historic Bridge & Infrastructure Awards (HIBA) held at the Institute of Structural Engineers’ headquarters in London.
The awards were sponsored by the Institute’s Panel for Historical Engineering Works (PHEW), English Heritage, Network Rail, British Waterways and the County Surveyors’ Society. Roland Paxton, chairman of HBIA commented, "Competition for this year's awards was very strong indeed. The Awards are important because they recognise and encourage excellence and innovation in historic civil engineering."
The judges said of the award, "The concept is a clear innovation. Strengthening created a bridge capable of carrying unrestricted traffic and there is a sheet of calculations to prove the high load capacity."
The work was carried out in 2003.
Station Road Swing Bridge:
The swing bridge and adjacent Pump House, Station Road, c.1911
Originally built c.1798 as a swing bridge (shown above) the crossing was rebuilt at some stage, possibly 1974, as a fixed raised bridge.
Prior to 1964, when the open-air swimming pool in Hungerford opened, local youngsters would cross this bridge and then follow a path along the canal to a swimming place on the river Kennet known as The Broads.
Adjacent to the bridge is the fine Arts and Crafts building (now fenced with tall green railings) - the Pump House for the Mains Drainage Scheme, built c.1909.
The Church Swing Bridge:
The much used swing-bridge over the canal near St. Lawrence's church lies on the historic Stocken Street pathway leading to Hungerford Marsh, Freeman's Marsh and Hopgrass..
No doubt it has been repaired and even renewed on many occasions sicnce it was originally built c.1799. The bridge was renewed when the canal was restored locally c.1974, and again in 2010. However, this work made use of structural timber made of fir, which clearly had inadequate strength, and by 2022 the bridge had failed and became unusable.
Through June and July 2022 the bridge was totally rebuilt (still using the original iron roller-bearings) but with steel structural beams clad in timber. (See Photo Gallery).
Dun Mill Lock and Canal Bridge:
Dun Mill lock and bridge
Dun Mill Lock (Lock 75) and the adjacent road bridge were constructed c.1798. The bridge is Grade II Listed.
Recent changes:
In Oct 2003 a car parked on the wharf rolled back and teetered on the edge of the canal. See "Just inches away from disaster", NWN 23 Oct 2003.
In 2012 the new "Jubilee Footbridge" was built alongside (but not touching) the original 1799 road bridge.
In January 2023 the canal was dredged from the marsh to Dun Mill.
The Rose of Hungerford:
The "trip boat" from Hungerford wharf is named "The Rose of Hungerford" - the name chosen following a public balot.
Iris Lloyd, with thanks to Sarah Warburton, kindly researched (2020) more information about the boat:
"The Rose of Hungerford is a traditional canal boat that is owned by the Kennet and Avon Canal Trust and run and maintained by fully-trained volunteer members of the Hungerford branch.
It was built by Peter Nicholls at Napton, Warwickshire, was launched at Great Bedwyn in 1982 and commissioned at Hungerford Wharf in 1983, now its home mooring.
It is 55’ (16.7m) long and 10’ 6” (3.2m) wide. Its original engine came from an ex-London taxi, then a Shire 40 engine was fitted in 1997 and lasted 20 years.
It is now powered by a Barrus Shire 50 Diesel engine (50bhp at 3000rpm), fitted in 2017.
The boat was named for John O’Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, the third of the five sons of King Edward III who reached adulthood, who gave the Commoners of Hungerford fishing rights on the River Kennet (now strictly controlled). These rights were granted in addition to the grazing and hunting rights already received.
The red rose is the symbol of the House of Lancaster (the white rose is the symbol of the House of York), and since then has been a symbol of Hungerford. A red rose is presented to a reigning monarch whenever he or she visits the town.
The current Duke of Lancaster is Her Majesty the Queen. She travelled on The Rose when officially opening the restored Kennet and Avon Canal at Caen Hill, Devizes, on 8th August, 1990, 30 years ago. In 2013, The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust was honoured by Her Majesty, who awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, the MBE for voluntary groups. In 2014, The Princess Royal visited the Trust’s Headquarters in Devizes to present the Award.
During lockdown, the Rose was treated to six new door panels, for the side and engine doors, beautifully painted with traditional roses by Bradford-on-Avon based signwriter, Ginny Barlow."
For more about "The Rose" (and information on boat trips locally) see The Rose of Hungerford website.
Photo Gallery:
Volunteers clearing the choked canal at Caen Hill, 1955
Hungerford Town lock, c1965.
The canal at Crofton choked with weed, 1964. (Photo by Brian Hawkins)
Hungerford Marsh lock, 1964. (Photo by Brian Hawkins)
Re-opening of the canal to Hungerford wharf, 20 July 1974
The canal above Town lock empty following the breach near St Lawrence's church, 1980
The canal breached when the pod of a dredger broke the 1910 elm culvert under the canal near St Lawrence's church, 1980
Restoration of Heale's Lock
Celebrating the re-opening of the entire Kennet and Avon canal, at Hungerford wharf, 4 Aug 1990
The Queen travelling in the Rose of Hungerford at Caen Hill flight for the official re-opening of the entire Kennet and Avon canal, 8 Aug 1990
Restoration of Woolhampton lock
Unloading the pre-fabricated swing bridge on the wharf, prior to installation near St Lawrence's church, Apr 2010
The new swing bridge in place near St Lawrence's church, May 2010
Hungerford Lock, showing the 2nd World War Pill Box, c1970.
The church swing-bridge about to be replaced, 26th June 2022.
Steel beams for the new church swing-bridge being off-loaded on the canal wharf, 27th June 2022.
Steel beams for the new church swing-bridge being off-loaded on the canal wharf, 27th June 2022.
Steel beams for the new church swing-bridge being off-loaded on the canal wharf, 27th June 2022.
Steel beams for the new church swing-bridge being off-loaded on the canal wharf, 27th June 2022.
- Volunteers clearing the choked canal at Caen Hill, 1955.
- The canal at Crofton choked with weed, 1964. (Photo by Brian Hawkins).
- Hungerford Marsh lock, 1964. (Photo by Brian Hawkins).
- Hungerford Town lock, c.1965.
- Restoration of Woolhampton lock.
- Restoration of Heale's.
- Hungerford Lock, showing the 2nd World War Pill Box, c.1970.
- Re-opening of the canal to Hungerford wharf, 20th July 1974.
- The canal breached when the pod of a dredger broke the 1910 elm culvert under the canal near St. Lawrence's church, 1980.
- The canal above Town lock empty following the breach near St. Lawrence's church, 1980.
- Unloading the pre-fabricated swing bridge on the wharf, prior to installation near St. Lawrence's church, April 2010.
- The new swing bridge in place near St. Lawrence's church, May 2010.
- Celebrating the re-opening of the entire Kennet and Avon canal, at Hungerford wharf, 4th August 1990.
- The Queen travelling in the Rose of Hungerford at Caen Hill flight for the official re-opening of the entire Kennet and Avon canal, 8th August 1990.
- The church swing-bridge about to be replaced, 26th June 2022.
- Steel beams for the new church swing-bridge being off-loaded on the canal wharf, 27th June 2022.
See also:
- Building the Kennet and Avon Canal
- The Restoration of the Kennet and Avon Canal
- Kennet & Avon Canal Photo Gallery (for additional archive photographs)
- "The Kennet & Avon Canal", by Kenneth R. Clew, David & Charles 1973.
- Invitation to Official Commissioning of the "Rose of Hungerford", Mar 1983
- Rose of Hungerford promotional leaflet, c1983
- "Queen of Waters", by Kirsten Elliott, Akeman Press 2010
- The Bruce Trust - A charity providing wide-beam canal boats on the Kennet and Avon Canal for hire for self catering holidays by disabled, disadvantaged or elderly people and their carers.
- Survey of Canal Wharf, Aug 1964. by Robson, Paul & Palmer, St Nicolas' House, Newbury. (Kindly provided by Iris Lloyd, Sep 2016) (In Kennet & Avon Canal Photo Gallery
The Canal Wharf, 2011