Longford River
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Longford River is an artificial waterway that diverts water 19km from the River Colne at Longford to Bushy Park and Hampton Court Palace where it reaches the Thames.
In its northern course, it runs side by side with its "twin", the Duke of Northumberland's River, both of which have been diverted on more than one occasion to accommodate the development of Heathrow Airport. The two rivers emerge to flow along the Airport's southern perimeter, separating at 'Two Bridges' just east of Terminal 4.
The Longford River then flows south east, through Bedfont,Feltham,Hanworth and Hampton into Bushy Park and Hampton Court.
Responsibility for the maintenance of the river still resides with the Royal Parks Agency.
[edit] History
Constructed in 1638 at the instigation of Charles I, the watercourse's purpose was to augment the water supply to the Royal Parks at Hampton Court and enable the development of the water features. Before the 20th century, the river was known as the New River, the King's River, the Queen's River, the Cardinal's River, the Hampton Court Cut, and the Hampton Court Canal.
