Wisbech Canal
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The Wisbech Canal was a broad canal near Wisbech in the Fenland area of Cambridgeshire, England. It ran from the River Nene at Wisbech to the Well Creek at Outwell, which gave access to the River Ouse. It was abandoned in 1926 and filled in during the 1970's.
[edit] History
The canal was authorised by an Act of Parliament (34 George III. Cap. 92) which was granted on 9 May 1794. This Act formed The Wisbech Canal Company, which had powers to raise £14,000, with an option to raise an additional £6,000 if required. This was to be used to construct the canal which ran from a junction with the River Nene at Wisbech, to a junction with the Well Creek and the Old River Nene at Outwell. The Well Creek connects to the Great Ouse. In addition, the company had powers to maintain and improve the river from Outwell Church to Salter's Lode Sluice on the Old River Nene. All traffic passing between the canal and the Nene River was required to pay a toll, which was to be used to maintain the Well Creek.[1]
Because of the low level of the Fens landscape, the canal was constructed on embankments for most of its 5.25 mile (8.4km) length, and was opened in 1797. Flood locks were constructed at both ends of the canal.[1]
In 1883, the Wisbech and Upwell Tramway opened, running from Wisbech to Outwell and following a route along the course of the canal. It was extended to Upwell in 1884. Initially, there was some benefit to the canal, as coal was transported by the railway to Outwell, and loaded into boats by chutes. However, the railways steadily took the trade, and in 1914, the tolls collected only amounted to £56.[2] All traffic ceased in 1922, and the canal was formally abandoned in 1926.[3]
The canal remained in a derelict state until the early 1970s, when the Wisbech end was filled in to allow the A1101 Churchill Road link to be built without destroying the historic town centre.[4] Much of the rest of the canal was used as a landfill site, and consequently any development within 270 yd (250m) of the former line of the canal requires special consent from Cambridgeshire County Council's Waste Management Services department.[5]
