The Coventry Canal
The narrow
Canal starts predictably in Coventry and with a length of 38 miles finishing
at Fradley Junctions where it joins the Trent and Mersey canal also
connecting with the Oxford canal, the Ashby canal and the Birmingham and
Fazely canal. Historically different maps may show different lengths due to
various sections of canal be leased and reclaimed over the years, so there
may always be a certain amount of room to dispute the exact extent of the
canal, for those that want to indulge in that argument.
The Coventry
Canal Company was established in 1768 the route of the canal having
been previously surveyed in 1766 by Henry Bradford following a route from
Coventry to Tamworth with a river section to Fazeley from there. James
Brindley surveyed the route again in 1767 and the following year an Act of
Parliament was applied for to allow construction to begin with James
Brindley as Chief Engineer. Work began in 1768 with Joseph Parker as Clark
of works. James Brindley was replaced by Edmund Lingard
in 1769 with suggestions that James
Bridley’s high standards were just going to cost the company too much.
The section of canal from Fradley Junction to Frazely, though approvedwas
left unbuilt until permission was sought by the Trent and Mersy Company and
the Birminham and frazely Company to complete it: both being anxious that
the connection to Birmingham should be complete. The full length from
Coventry to Fradley opening in 1789.
The canal was an immediate success forming part of
a busy route from London to Birmingham with trade still remaining
strong after a rival route was offered by the opening of the Grand Union
canal. The Coventry canal company paid dividends up until 1947, remaining
navigable until the present day. It was nationalized in 1948 passing into
the hands of the British transport Board and then onto British Waterways.
1957 saw the creation of the Coventry Canal Society, which sought to
promote proper use and management of the canal.