Grantham Canal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Grantham Canal
A dry lock on the canal near Cropwell Bishop
Specifications
Maximum boat length	75 ft 0 in (22.86 m)
Maximum boat beam	14 ft 0 in (4.27 m)
Locks	18
Status	Parts restored
Navigation authority	Canal and River Trust
History
Original owner	Grantham Canal Co
Principal engineer	William Jessop
Other engineer(s)	James Green, William King
Date of act	1793
Date completed	1797
Date closed	1936
Geography
Start point	Grantham
End point	West Bridgford
Connects to	River Trent

The Grantham Canal is a historic waterway that stretches for 33 miles (53 km). It runs from the town of Grantham to West Bridgford, where it connects with the River Trent. Along its route, the canal uses 18 locks to help boats move up and down hills.

This canal was mainly built to transport coal to Grantham, making it cheaper for people to heat their homes and power industries. It first opened in 1797 and became very successful until 1841. Later, it was sold to a railway company and eventually closed in 1936. Even after closing, most of the canal kept its water because it was used to supply farms. Since the 1970s, a group called the Grantham Canal Society has been working hard to bring parts of it back to life. Today, some sections are open again for small boats.

Why Was the Grantham Canal Built?

The idea for a canal connecting the River Trent to Grantham first came up in 1791. People wanted a way to get cheaper coal to the area. Originally, the plan was for the canal to join the Trent near Nottingham.

William Jessop, a famous canal engineer, was asked to survey the route. However, the first plan faced opposition. Coal suppliers who used roads to deliver coal didn't like the idea. Some also worried the project would harm the River Witham.

Planning the Canal's Route

A new route was then planned. This time, the canal would join the Trent at West Bridgford. There was also a plan for a small branch canal to Bingham, but this was never built.

In 1793, a special law was passed by Parliament, allowing the canal to be built. Construction began that same year. William Jessop was in charge, with James Green and William King as the main engineers on site. They were responsible for different parts of the canal and even built two reservoirs to supply it with water.

Building the Canal

The first part of the canal opened in February 1797. The rest of the canal was finished later that year. The locks on the Grantham Canal were built to be 75 feet long and 14 feet wide. This was the same size as locks on the Nottingham Canal, so boats could easily use both waterways.

The 18 locks helped the canal rise 140 feet from the River Trent to Grantham. Most of the locks were near the Trent, with a long, flat section of canal in the middle. Near Woolsthorpe, there was another group of seven locks. At Harlaxton, the canal went through a very deep cut in the ground. This part was so narrow that only one boat could pass at a time, but it was widened in 1801 to allow boats to cross.

How the Canal Worked and Made Money

The Grantham Canal quickly became profitable. By 1806, it started paying money to its shareholders. This amount grew steadily, reaching its highest point in 1839. The canal's income from tolls also increased, showing how busy it was.

Boats traveling towards Grantham carried important goods like coal, coke (a type of fuel), lime, groceries, and building materials. Some of these goods were dropped off at villages along the canal. Others went all the way to Grantham and were then sent by road to other towns. Boats leaving Grantham mainly carried farm products such as corn, beans, malt, and wool. These goods were usually loaded at Grantham or Harby.

For a while, the canal company owned some boats that carried coal. But they stopped this in 1812. They started again in 1827 because they felt there wasn't enough coal in Grantham. However, they were accused of trying to control coal prices, so they stopped carrying coal again.

Why the Canal Declined

Like many canals, the Grantham Canal faced a big challenge from railways. In 1845, the canal owners agreed to sell it to a railway company. Even though the railway line was finished in 1850, the railway company didn't keep its promise to buy the canal right away.

The canal company had to take the railway company to court many times. Finally, in 1854, the railway company agreed to pay. The canal then came under the control of larger railway companies, like the Great Northern Railway.

The Canal's Closure

As railways became more popular, the canal was neglected. Not many boats used it anymore. By 1905, traffic had dropped a lot. The canal officially closed in 1936, though no boats had used it since 1929.

The law that closed the canal said that the water levels had to be kept at least 2 feet deep. This was important for local farms that used the canal for water. Because of this rule, the canal channel largely remained, even though its locks and bridges fell into disrepair. In the 1950s, many bridges over the canal were lowered for road improvements, which made it harder for boats to pass.

After World War II, the canal became the responsibility of the government. In 1963, it was managed by British Waterways. The canal was put into a category for waterways that were not expected to be used for business anymore. This meant less money was spent on its upkeep.

Bringing the Canal Back to Life

The "Dirty Duck" at Woolsthorpe viewed through bridge 61

Woolsthorpe Bottom Lock

In the 1960s, there were plans to fill in part of the canal in Nottingham. This made people interested in saving the canal. In 1970, the British Waterways Board tried to stop maintaining the canal's water levels. But the Inland Waterways Association fought against this, and the plan was changed.

Soon after, the Grantham Canal Society was formed. Their goal was to restore the canal so boats could use it again. They worked with British Waterways and other groups to start the restoration.

Restoration Efforts and Challenges

A big step forward happened in 1992 when they got permission to remove an old railway embankment. This embankment had been blocking the canal near the top of the Woolsthorpe locks. Volunteers helped clear the way. New gates were put on the top three locks, and a bridge was rebuilt, opening up about 4.4 miles (7.1 km) of the canal for boats.

Further along, another 2.3-mile (3.7 km) section was restored between Hickling Basin and Hose. This work was paid for by a grant of £400,000. In 1997, the Grantham Canal Partnership was created. This group included representatives from local councils, British Waterways, and canal societies. Their teamwork helped move the restoration project forward.

After the top three locks at Woolsthorpe were restored, the goal was to complete a 10-mile (16 km) section of the canal. By 2000, five locks had been restored, meaning about a quarter of the canal was ready for boats. The towpath, which is a path alongside the canal, has also been greatly improved, making it easier for people to walk or cycle.

Overcoming Setbacks

In 2007, one of the walls of Woolsthorpe top lock started to collapse. British Waterways decided to fill it in because they didn't have enough money to fix it. However, the Inland Waterways Association received a large donation specifically for the Grantham Canal. With additional grants from local councils, enough money was raised to rebuild the wall. It was a big job, using a lot of concrete and new bricks.

A dry section of the canal near Cropwell Bishop

Restoring most of the canal is manageable, but the ends of the canal present bigger challenges. The original connection to the River Trent was cut off by the building of the A52 road. New ways to connect to the Trent are being considered, but finding money for these new routes is difficult because they aren't considered "restoration."

At the Grantham end, the A1 road crosses the canal's path, and the old turning basin has been filled in. There are plans for a tunnel under the A1 for a cycle path, and the basin might be rebuilt in the future.

There's also a 5-mile (8 km) dry section between Cotgrave and Kinoulton. This part has always had problems with leaking because of the type of soil there.

In 2005, a full-time manager was hired to oversee the Grantham Canal restoration. This person helps plan projects, find funding, and promote the canal. This role has been very successful in moving the restoration forward.

The canal and its banks between Redmile and Harby are special because they are a Site of Special Scientific Interest. This means they are important for wildlife and nature.

Interesting Places Along the Canal

The Belvoir Tramway

The line of the Belvoir tramway

The Duke of Rutland built a private railway, or tramway, between Muston Gorse wharf and Belvoir Castle. It was built in 1814-1815 and was used for 100 years. This tramway used special rails set into stone blocks. Some of these blocks and even some old wagons can still be found in the castle's cellars. The rails were made by The Butterley Company. Some of these historic rails and a wagon chassis are now part of museum collections.