Braunston Tunnel

Braunston Tunnel
Eastern portal of the tunnel
Overview
Location Braunston, Northamptonshire, England
Coordinates 52°16′58″N 1°10′21″W / 52.282915°N 1.172447°W
Status Open
Waterway Grand Union Canal
Start 52°17′04″N 1°11′05″W / 52.284569°N 1.184721°W
End 52°16′53″N 1°09′28″W / 52.281272°N 1.157869°W
Operation
Owner Canal & River Trust
Technical
Design engineer William Jessop
Length 2,042 yards (1,867.2 m)
Tunnel clearance 3.76 metres (12.3 ft)
Width 4.8 metres (15.7 ft)
Towpath No
Boat-passable Yes

Braunston Tunnel is situated on the Grand Union Canal about 830 yds (760 km) east of Braunston, Northamptonshire, England top lock.

Braunston Tunnel is 2,042 yards (1,867 m) in length.[1] Built by Jessop and Barnes, the tunnel has no towpath and is 4.8m wide by 3.76m high.[2]

It was opened in 1796. Its construction was delayed by soil movement and it was probably the resulting movement that lead to the tunnel having a slight 'S' bend in its length. There is room for two 7 ft beam boats to pass.[3] There are three air shafts along its length.

The tunnel passes underground alongside another Grand Union Canal feature, Drayton Reservoir from which the feeder enters the canal at the east end of the tunnel.

Features

Point Coordinates
(Links to map resources)		 OS Grid Ref Notes
Western portal 52°17′04″N 1°11′05″W / 52.284569°N 1.184721°W
Mid point 52°16′58″N 1°10′21″W / 52.282915°N 1.172447°W
Eastern portal 52°16′53″N 1°09′28″W / 52.281272°N 1.157869°W

See also

References

  1. ↑ M. Pearson (2006). Pearson's Canal Companion Oxford & Grand Union ISBN 0-9549116-2-8
  2. ↑ Engineering Timelines (2007) http://www.engineering-timelines.com/scripts/engineeringItem.asp?id=149
  3. ↑ Nicholson (1983). Ornance Survey Guide to the Waterways 1: South ISBN 0319 00347 7

External links

Media related to Braunston Tunnel at Wikimedia Commons Coordinates: 52°16′58″N 1°10′21″W / 52.282915°N 1.172447°W