Braunston Tunnel facts for kids
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| Eastern portal of the tunnel | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Daventry, 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 |
The Braunston Tunnel is a long tunnel for boats on the Grand Union Canal in England. It is located near the village of Braunston in Northamptonshire. This tunnel is an important part of the canal system. It helps boats travel through the landscape.
The tunnel is about 2,042 yards (1,867 meters) long. That's almost two kilometers! It was built a long time ago by engineers named Jessop and Barnes.
Building the Braunston Tunnel
The Braunston Tunnel was opened in 1796. Building it was a big challenge. The ground moved a lot during construction. This movement caused the tunnel to have a slight 'S' bend.
The tunnel is 4.8 meters wide and 3.76 meters high. It is wide enough for two boats to pass each other. Each boat can be up to 2.13 meters wide. There is no special path for people to walk beside the boats inside the tunnel. This path is called a towpath.
To help with air flow, there are three air shafts along the tunnel's length. These shafts bring fresh air into the tunnel.
Tunnel Location and Nearby Features
The Braunston Tunnel is located on the northern edge of Daventry. It is about 2 kilometers east of Braunston village.
The tunnel passes underground next to another important canal feature. This is the Drayton Reservoir. A reservoir is a large lake that stores water. Water from the Drayton Reservoir flows into the canal at the east end of the tunnel. This water helps keep the canal full.
Images for kids
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Eastern portal of the tunnel
