Wisbech Canal facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wisbech Canal
The remains of paddle gear and some stonework from Outwell flood lock
Specifications
Locks	2
Status	Infilled
History
Original owner	Wisbech Canal Company
Date of act	1794
Date closed	1926
Geography
Start point	Wisbech
End point	Outwell
Connects to	River Nene, Middle Level Navigations

The Wisbech Canal was a waterway built a long time ago near Wisbech in the Fenland area of Cambridgeshire, England. This area is very flat and low, often with lots of water. The canal connected the River Nene at Wisbech to the Well Creek at Outwell in Norfolk. This link then allowed boats to reach the River Great Ouse. The canal stopped being used in 1926 and was filled in during the 1970s.

Why Was the Wisbech Canal Built?

The people of Wisbech wanted to make their town a better place for trade and business. They thought a canal would help boats bring more goods in and out. This would make Wisbech an important trading hub.

Planning the Canal

In 1792, some important people, like Charles Lindsay and Lord Hardwicke, talked about how useful a canal could be. They asked an engineer named John Watte to check the area and guess how much it would cost to build.

A big meeting was held to discuss the plans. Many people from Wisbech and even from far-off towns came. They all wanted to be part of this exciting new project.

Getting Permission to Build

To build the canal, they needed official permission from the government. So, in 1794, the people of Wisbech asked Parliament for an Act of Parliament. This special law, called the Wisbech Canal Act 1794, was approved on May 9, 1794.

This law created The Wisbech Canal Company. This company was allowed to collect money, about £14,000, to build the canal. They could even raise more money if they needed it.

How the Canal Worked

The canal started at the River Nene in Wisbech and ended at the Well Creek in Outwell. The Well Creek then connected to the River Great Ouse. The company also had to keep the river from Outwell Church to Salter's Lode Sluice in good condition.

Boats using the canal had to pay a small fee, called a toll. This money helped to maintain the Well Creek waterway.

Building the Canal

Because the Fenland area is so flat, the canal had to be built on raised banks. This helped to keep the water in the canal. It was about 5.25 miles (8.4 km) long. The canal opened in 1797, just three years after the law was passed!

Locks and Water Supply

There were two special gates, called flood locks, at each end of the canal. These locks helped control the water level. The lock at Outwell was 97 feet (30 meters) long. But the one at Wisbech was only 50 feet (15 meters) long. This meant longer boats had to wait for the water levels in the river and canal to become equal. Then, both sets of gates could open for them to pass.

The canal didn't have its own constant water supply. It was refilled when the River Nene at Wisbech had high water levels. This usually happened only during spring tides, which are very high tides. So, sometimes the canal's water level would get quite low before the next spring tide.

The End of the Canal

For many years, the Wisbech Canal was important for moving goods. But things started to change.

The Arrival of the Railway

In 1883, the Wisbech and Upwell Tramway opened. This was a railway line that ran from Wisbech to Outwell, right next to the canal. It was extended to Upwell in 1884.

At first, the railway even helped the canal a little. Coal was brought by train to Outwell and then loaded onto boats using chutes. However, trains were faster and could carry more goods. Slowly, the railways took over most of the trade.

Closing Down

By 1914, the money collected from canal tolls was very low, only £56. This showed that fewer and fewer boats were using it. All boat traffic stopped completely in 1922.

The Wisbech Canal was officially closed on June 14, 1926. A special order for its closure was given by the Minister of Transport.

What Happened Next?

After it closed, the canal was left empty and unused for many years. In the early 1960s, the part of the canal near Wisbech was filled in. This was done to build a new road, the A1101 Churchill Road, without damaging the old town center.

Much of the rest of the canal was later used as a place to dump waste, like a landfill. Because of this, if anyone wants to build something near where the canal used to be, they need special permission from the local council.

Points of Interest Along the Canal Route