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The Regent’s canal can be found just north of central
London, providing a link from the Grand Union just north of Paddington Basin
to the Limehouse Basin and river Thames.
The idea was first put forward by Thomas Homer in 1802 to
provide a link from the Paddington Arm of the Grand Union to the Thames at
limehouse. John Nash was later
responsible for plans renovating a large area of North London and the Canal
was included in the project, the plan being drawn up in 1811 for the Prince
Regent with the canal running along
the northern boundary of Regent’s Park.
John Morgan was appointed Chief Engineer and work started
in October 1812. The construction included a 274 yard tunnel under Maida
Hill another of 52 yards under Lisson grove, with a third the 969 yard
Islington Tunnel.
The project was completed in August 1820.
The canal was successful with the opening of the London
and Birmingham Railway in 1838 actually increasing the tonnage of coal and
the canal maintained trade until about 1929, through a gradual process of
decline, with rail and Road transport both taking a larger share of the
trade.
1927 saw the creation of the Grand Union Canal which
brought new interest into the movement of freight by canal and a certain
amount of trade involving transportation of iron and steel between London
and the Midlands was recovered from the Railways, with grain, ores,
ingredients for HP sauce and various other commodities also using the route
and restoring transported tonnages to 168,658 Tons a year by 1941.
Nationalisation came in 1948, though by this time
commercial traffic had again diminished and virtually disappeared by the
1960’s, largely due to the improvement in road transport.
1969 saw the closure of regents canal Dock, which was the
final blow to any commercial ventures.
A new enthusiasm for restoring the waterways for leisure
use was born in the late 50’s and early 60’s and this has developed into a
general revaluation of canals as Historical and Architectural features as
well as a general re-evaluation of their potential to contribute to leisure
facilities and other roles such as providing accommodation and service.
The towpath beside Regents canal now provides an under
path water cooled channel for 400kV power cables, while the towpaths
themselves provide popular cycling and jogging paths, while the waterways
itself remains a viable navigation for pleasure craft, cruises and a water
taxi.
All innovated projects that preserve the original
facility, while providing real practical benefits to the community in the
local area.