Ellesmere Canal

Last updated

The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct opened to traffic on the Ellesmere Canal in 1805. Pontcysyllte aqueduct arp.jpg
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct opened to traffic on the Ellesmere Canal in 1805.

The Ellesmere Canal was a waterway in England and Wales that was planned to carry boat traffic between the rivers Mersey and Severn. The proposal would create a link between the Port of Liverpool and the mineral industries in north east Wales and the manufacturing centres in the West Midlands. However, the canal was never completed as intended because of its rising costs and failure to generate the expected commercial traffic.

Contents

The Ellesmere Canal, which was first proposed in 1791, would have created a waterway between Netherpool, Cheshire, and Shrewsbury. However, only certain sections were completed; these were eventually incorporated into the Chester Canal, Montgomery Canal and Shropshire Union Canal. Although several major civil engineering feats were accomplished, major building work ceased following the completion of the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in 1805. The northern end of the navigation's mainline ended 16 miles (25 km) from Chester at Trevor Basin near Ruabon and its southern end was at Weston Lullingfields about 9 miles (15 km) from Shrewsbury.

As part of the rebranding of Britain's industrial waterways as leisure destinations, the surviving central section is now called the Llangollen Canal; even though historically its builders had no intention of sending boat traffic to Llangollen. The branch, from which the waterway now takes its name, was primarily a water feeder from the River Dee above the town. Therefore it was not built as a broad-gauge canal, hence its inherently narrow design.

History

Route planning

Map of the original proposed route of the Ellesmere canal published in 1795 Camlas ellesmere.png
Map of the original proposed route of the Ellesmere canal published in 1795
Ellesmere and Chester Canal Act 1793
Act of Parliament
Coat of Arms of Great Britain (1714-1801).svg
Long title An Act for making and maintaining a Navigable Canal from the River Severn, at Shrewsbury, in the County of Salop, to the River Mersey, at or near Netherpool in the County of Chester, and also for making and maintaining certain Collateral Cuts from the said intended Canal.
Citation 33 Geo. 3. c. 91
Dates
Royal assent 30 April 1793
Other legislation
Repealed by Ellesmere and Chester Canal Act 1827
Status: Repealed

The formal proposal for the canal was launched at a meeting in Ellesmere in 1791 for a canal from Netherpool (now Ellesmere Port) on the River Mersey to the River Dee at Chester. It would then go in a south easterly direction via Overton (south of Wrexham) to the River Severn at Shrewsbury. Branches would then be cut to the iron making and coal mining areas at Bersham between Wrexham and Ruabon and to the copper mines at Llanymynech. By 1793 an act of Parliament, the Ellesmere and Chester Canal Act 1793 (33 Geo. 3. c. 91), had been passed allowing the Ellesmere Canal company to build the canal.

However this route of the canal beyond Chester was not to the liking of all backers. They wanted the canal's course to follow a more westerly route from the Dee to the Severn passing directly through the Welsh mining areas. Eventually this proposal was the one that canal engineer John Duncombe followed when he eventually surveyed the route. Notable civil engineer William Jessop was called into advise; he too recommended the route surveyed by Duncombe. Jessop was eventually appointed the project's engineer while Thomas Telford was appointed as General Agent. The northernmost section, a contour canal, from the Mersey to the Dee was completed in 1797. This allowed the company to generate revenue from tolls to help finance construction of the rest of the canal.

However the westerly route posed formidable engineering obstacles. Close to the Eglwyseg and Ruabon mountains, there were deep river valleys to be crossed and high ground to be tunnelled. Duncombe's survey involved a climb of 303 feet (92 m) from Chester to Wrexham, a 4,607-yard (4,213 m) tunnel at Ruabon, a high level crossing over the Dee at Pontcysyllte, a further tunnel and aqueduct near Chirk, and a tunnel in Shropshire near Weston Lullingfields.

A plan of the canal, published in 1795, showed the route between Netherpool in the north to Shrewsbury to the south:

River Mersey; Great Stanney; Stoak; Wervin; Caughall; Chester; Saltneyside; Lache Hall; [1] Rough Hill; Cuckoos Nest; Wrexham; Ruabon; Plas Madoc; Chirk; Hordley; Dandyford; Shade Oak; Weston Lullingfields; Eyton; Walford; Hancott; Shrewsbury; River Severn.

The canal plan would also have four branches:

Originally Jessop had suggested that the cheaper solution was to use locks on both sides of Vale of Llangollen to take the canal down to a more manageable height for the second, upstream crossing of the River Dee at Froncysyllte. Rather than crossing at full height, the locks would reuse water by backpumping. But by 1795 Jessop and Telford had changed their decision. Instead they developed a proposal for a cast-iron aqueduct to maintain the original level.

Construction

Chirk Tunnel on the Ellesmere Canal was completed in 1802. Llangollen Canal - Chirk Tunnel - geograph.org.uk - 130784.jpg
Chirk Tunnel on the Ellesmere Canal was completed in 1802.

In 1796 the Llanymynech Branch was opened, linking the main line at Frankton Junction with Llanymynech. This joined the Montgomeryshire Canal at Carreghofa Locks when the Montgomeryshire opened in 1797.

In 1796, Thomas Telford constructed a feeder reservoir lake in Moss Valley, Wrexham to provide water to the length of canal between Trevor Basin and Chester. However, as the plan to build this section was cancelled in 1798, the isolated feeder and a stretch of navigation between Ffrwd and a basin in Summerhill was abandoned. Remnants of the feeder channel are visible in Gwersyllt. A street in the village is still named Heol Camlas (Canal Way). [2]

The contour section from the River Mersey to the River Dee at Chester was joined to the Chester Canal in 1797.

On the main line section, the Chirk Aqueduct was opened in 1801, and Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in 1805. However, by this time the proposed line from the Dee at Chester to Ruabon had been abandoned as uneconomic. The canal was therefore terminated at Trevor Basin, 2 miles (3 km) southwest of Ruabon.

Also abandoned was the plan to reach the Severn, as the Shrewsbury Canal was already serving the town, and the poor navigational state of the Severn meant that additional traffic would not justify the cost of the building works.

As the canal would now not reach its proposed main source of water northwest of Wrexham, a feeder was constructed along the side of the Dee valley to Horseshoe Falls at Llantysilio. This narrow feeder branch was made navigable, allowing boats to reach Llangollen.

In the end the only parts of the main line of the canal to be built was the extreme northern line from the Mersey to Chester and the 18-mile (29 km) central section from Trevor Basin to Weston Lullingfields. As this left the middle part isolated from the rest of the UK waterways network, the planned Whitchurch branch was re-routed. A 29-mile (47 km) link was built from Frankton via Ellesmere to the Chester Canal at Hurleston Junction in sections between 1797 and 1806. Despite the circuitous route, it was considered to be the main line. The extension also included an arm to Whitchurch because the town had been by-passed by the new route. A branch was also originally intended to reach Prees in Shropshire; however the line was only constructed as far as Quina Brook, 1-mile (1.5 km) from the village.

The section of waterway from Frankton Junction to Weston Lullingfields, which was originally intended to be the main line to Shrewsbury, became the Weston Branch. The uncompleted part between Weston Lullingfields and the River Severn would have been 9+12 miles (15 km) long, with 107 feet (33 m) of lockage and a 487-yard (445 m) tunnel at Weston Lullingfileds. [3]

Working canal

Ellesmere and Chester Canal Company Act 1845
Act of Parliament
Coat of Arms of the United Kingdom (1837).svg
Long title An Act for uniting the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal Navigation Company with the Ellesmere and Chester Canal Company.
Citation 8 & 9 Vict. c. ii
Dates
Royal assent 8 May 1845

Due to the constraints placed on the canal by its incomplete design, the Ellesmere Canal struggled financially throughout its operating life as an industrial waterway. In 1813, the Ellesmere Canal company merged with the Chester Canal to form the Ellesmere and Chester Canal Company under the Ellesmere and Chester Canals Unification Act 1813 (53 Geo. 3. c. lxxx). This business was then merged with the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal by the Ellesmere and Chester Canal Company Act 1845 (8 & 9 Vict. c. ii). A year later the canal was taken over again by the formation of the Shropshire Union Railways and Canal Company.

By 1917 the Weston Branch had closed following a breach near Hordley Wharf. In 1939 traffic on the line from Hurleston to Llangollen had all but ceased. All remaining parts of the Ellesmere Canal network, other than the northern line from Ellesmere Port to Chester, was closed to navigation by the London Midland and Scottish Railway (Canals) Act 1944 (8 & 9 Geo. 6. c. ii). However, the canal from Hurleston to Llangollen was retained as a water feeder for the Shropshire Union Canal main line and for drinking water. In 1955 an agreement with the Mid & South East Cheshire Water Board secured the canal's future.

Present day

Despite the formal closure, increasing popularity of the canal with pleasure boats led to its acceptance as an important amenity, and the rebranding as the Llangollen Canal. As the canal was never intended to go to Llangollen, this renaming is an ironic twist symbolic of the canal's convoluted development.

The Ellesmere Canal south of Frankton Junction (the Llanymynech Branch) nowadays forms part of the Montgomery Canal, together with the Montgomeryshire Canal, and the isolated northern section from Chester to Ellesmere Port considered part of the main line of the Shropshire Union Canal.

The Weston Branch is now infilled, save for a very short section, which has a Canal & River Trust amenity block.

Route

Ellesmere Port to Chester

Ellesmere to Chester
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Manchester Ship Canal
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Swing bridge
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Ellesmere Port Basin
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Whitby Locks (4)
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Wirral Line
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A5117
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UK-Motorway-icon.svg M56
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A41
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Wirral Line
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A5480 Deva aqueduct
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Start of Chester Canal
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Chester
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18th-century dry dock}
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Upper Dee Locks (2)
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Tower Wharf
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Northgate Locks (3)
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Dee Locks (2)}
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River Dee

The canal starts at Ellesmere Port Dock by the Mersey. Originally goods would be transferred directly from inland waterways craft into river-going vessels at the dock, which would enter and exit through tidal lock gates. However, in the 1890s, with the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal, the basin became detached from the river. Traffic was controlled by a set of two-lock staircases.

A contour canal runs between Ellesmere Port and Chester following the course of a natural river valley that encompasses Backford Brook and the Bache valley. The canal enters Chester Basin (wharf) at the junction with the Chester Canal. At this point, there is also a 4-lock branch that once led down to the River Dee and Port of Chester.

When the Ellesmere Canal reached the Chester Canal, the configuration of the staircase locks at Chester was altered. The original 5-lock staircase was replaced by a deeper three-lock arrangement. At this point, the section is now part of the Shropshire Union Canal.

Whitby-locks-1.jpg
Whitby Locks, Ellesmere Port Docks.

Hurleston to Frankton Junction

Ellesmere Canal Hurleston Branch
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Hurleston Jn (SU main line )
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Hurleston Lock 4
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Hurleston Lock 3
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Hurleston Lock 2
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Hurleston Lock 1
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Hurleston Reservoir
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1
A51 Road Bridge
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1A
Hurleston Bridge
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2
Bache House Bridge
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Martin's Bridge
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Lees Bridge
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Platts Bridge
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Wrexham Road (Ravensmoor) Bridge
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Swanley Bridge Marina
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Swanley No 2 Lock
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Swanley Bridge
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Butcher's Bridge
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Swanley No 1 Lock
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Stonely Green Bridge
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Bethills Bridge
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Hall's Lane Bridge
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Grange (Greenfield) Bridge
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Baddiley No 3 Lock
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Baddiley No 2 Lock
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Baddiley Bridge
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Baddiley No 1 Lock
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Wrenbury Heath Bridge
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Wrenbury Heath Footbridge
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Wrenbury Hall Bridge
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Starkeys Bridge
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Wrenbury Church Bridge
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Wrenbury Bridge
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Wrenbury Frith Bridge
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Thomason's Bridge
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Church Bridge
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Marbury Lock
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Steer Bridge
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Quoisley Bridge
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Quoisley Lock
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Willey Moor Lock
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Povey's Lock
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Jackson's Bridge
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Railway Bridge
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Grindley Brook No 1 Bridge
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Grindley Brook Lock
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Grindley Brook Lock
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Grindley Brook Lock
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Grindley Brook No 2 Bridge
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Grindley Brook Staircase Lock (3 chamber)
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Danson's (Dawson's) Farm Bridge
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30A
A41 Road Bridge
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New Mills Bridge
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Whitchurch Arm
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31A
A41 Road Bridge
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Wrexham Road Bridge
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Hassell's No 1 Bridge
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Hassell's No 2 Bridge
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Spark's Bridge
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Dudlestone Bridge
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Old Man's Bridge
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Cambrian Railway Bridge
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Blackoe (Hughes) Bridge
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Springhill Bridge
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Tilstock Park Bridge
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Platt Lane Bridge
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Roundhorn Bridge
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Morris Bridge
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Roving Bridge
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Whixall Moss Junction (Prees Branch)
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Cornhill Bridge
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Bettisfield Bridge
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Clapping Gate (Knowles) Bridge
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Hampton Bank Bridge
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Lyneal Lane Bridge
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Greaves Bridge
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Lyneal Bridge
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Miss Each Bridge
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55
Little Mill Bridge
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56
Burns Wood Bridge
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57
Ellesmere Tunnel (80m)
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Red Bridge
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White Bridge over Ellesmere Arm
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Stank's Bridge
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White Mill Bridge
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Coachman's Bridge
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Clay Pit Bridge
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Val Hill No 1 Bridge
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Val Hill No 2 Bridge
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Val Hill No 3 Bridge
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Broom Farm Bridge
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Pryce's Bridge
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Peter's Bridge
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Frankton Junction (Llanymynech Branch)
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Junction with Llangollen Branch

This section was added to link the canal to the national network. It became the Ellesmere Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal and is now part of the Llangollen Canal.

The Llangollen Canal begins here with a flight of four locks raising the water level more than 34 feet (10 m) from the Shropshire Union. Hurleston Junction.jpg
The Llangollen Canal begins here with a flight of four locks raising the water level more than 34 feet (10 m) from the Shropshire Union.
Hurleston Locks are at the eastern end of the Llangollen Canal, at the junction with the Shropshire Union Canal. Hurleston Locks, Llangollen Canal - geograph.org.uk - 4117.jpg
Hurleston Locks are at the eastern end of the Llangollen Canal, at the junction with the Shropshire Union Canal.
Stoneley Green Bridge near to Ravensmoor, Cheshire Llangollen Canal near Ravensmoor, Cheshire - geograph.org.uk - 1706097.jpg
Stoneley Green Bridge near to Ravensmoor, Cheshire
Canalside buildings close to the canal junction at Ellesmere, Shropshire Llangollen Canal at Ellesmere - geograph.org.uk - 4100.jpg
Canalside buildings close to the canal junction at Ellesmere, Shropshire
South of Springhill Bridge Llangollen Canal south of Springhill Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 129784.jpg
South of Springhill Bridge
A boat passing Bettisfield Bridge heading towards Ellesmere Llangollen Canal, Bettisfield - geograph.org.uk - 1005269.jpg
A boat passing Bettisfield Bridge heading towards Ellesmere
Sailing east from Lyneal Lane Bridge A pleasant day out on the Llangollen Canal - geograph.org.uk - 1261079.jpg
Sailing east from Lyneal Lane Bridge
South-east between Coachman's and Clay Pit bridges Llangollen Canal - geograph.org.uk - 130740.jpg
South-east between Coachman's and Clay Pit bridges

Frankton Junction to Trevor Basin

Frankton Junction to Trevor Basin
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Junction with Ellesmere Branch
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Frankton Junction (Llanymynech Branch)
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1W
Rowson's Bridge
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2
Nicholas Bridge
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3
Rodenhurst Bridge
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4
Maestermyn House Bridge
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5
Maestermyn Bridge
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6
Pollet's Bridge
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7
Broom's Bridge
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8
Paddock No 1 Bridge
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9
Paddock No 2 Bridge
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11
Hindford Bridge
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New Marton Bottom Lock
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New Marton Top Lock
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12
New Marton Bridge
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13
St. Martin's Bridge
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14
Sarn Bridge
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15
Preeshenlle Bridge
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16
Belmont Bridge
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17
Moreton Bridge
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18
Rhoswiel Bridge
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19
Gledrid (O'Leord) Bridge
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21
Monk's (Chirk Bank) Bridge
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Chirk Aqueduct
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Chirk Tunnel (459 yards)
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Chirk Marina
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25
Whitehouse Tunnel (191 yards)
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26
Whitehouse Bridge
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27
Irish Bridge
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28
Fron Bridge
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Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
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Llangollen navigable feeder
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19th-century dry dock
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29
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30
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Trevor Basin

This was the principal part of the original main line of the canal. It became the Llangollen Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal and is now part of the Llangollen Canal.

Refurbished banksman's cottage and outhouses at St Martin's Moor Llangollen Canal at St. Martins Moor - geograph.org.uk - 51920.jpg
Refurbished banksman's cottage and outhouses at St Martin's Moor
Rhoswiel Llangollen Canal, Rhoswiel - geograph.org.uk - 130758.jpg
Rhoswiel
Looking towards Trevor Basin TrevorBasin-01s.jpg
Looking towards Trevor Basin

Trevor Basin to Horseshoe Falls

Trevor Basin to Horseshoe Falls
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Ellesmere Main Line junction
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31
Rhos-y-coed Bridge
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32
Roving Bridge
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33
White Bridge
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34
Plas-yn-y-pentre Bridge
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35
Millar's Bridge
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36
Bryn-Ceirch Bridge
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37
Plas-Isaf Bridge
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38
Bryn Howel Bridge
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39
Great Western Railway Bridge
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40
Plas Ifan Bridge
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41
Sun Trevor Bridge
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42
Wenffrwd Bridge
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43
Llanddyn No 1 Bridge
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44
Llanddyn No 2 Bridge
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45
Siambra-Wen Bridge
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Llangollen Wharf
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Llangollen Marina
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Limit of navigation
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46
Pen-y-ddol Bridge
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47
Tower Bridge
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48
Pentrefelin Bridge
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48A
Ty-Craig Bridge
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49
Llantisilio Bridge
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49A
King's Bridge
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Horseshoe Falls Gauging Station
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Horseshoe Falls weir

This section of the canal was added as a navigable feeder. It is now part of the Llangollen Canal.

Canalside cottage near the Royal International Pavilion at Llangollen Canal, cottage and bridge at Llangollen - geograph.org.uk - 1307633.jpg
Canalside cottage near the Royal International Pavilion at Llangollen
The Horseshoe Falls, which are about three miles west of Llangollen, provide the water feed for the canal. Horseshoe Falls 203.jpg
The Horseshoe Falls, which are about three miles west of Llangollen, provide the water feed for the canal.

Frankton Junction to Llanymynech

Frankton Junction to Llanymynech
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Frankton Junction (Llangollen Canal)
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Frankton (Top) Staircase Lock
(2-chamber)
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Frankton (Middle) Lock
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Frankton (Bottom) Lock
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Weston Arm
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Branch now a nature reserve or in-filled
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70
Lockgate Bridge
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Graham Palmer Lock
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Hawkswood winding hole
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Perry Aqueduct (new)
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73
Keeper's Bridge (dismantled)
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Rednal Basin (now a nature reserve)
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Railway Bridge
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74
Heath House Bridge
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75
Corbett's Bridge
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Queen's Head winding hole
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76
Queen's Head Bridge
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76A
A5 Bridge (new)
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Aston Top Lock
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Aston Middle Lock
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Aston Bottom Lock
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77
Red Bridge
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Park Mill Bridge winding hole
(partially overgrown)
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78
Park Mill Bridge
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79
Maesbury Marsh Bridge
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80
Spiggots (or Spiket's) Bridge
BSicon uLIFT.svg
81
Crofts Mill Lift Bridge
BSicon ueWHRFq.svg
BSicon uABZg+r.svg
Mill Arm (or Peate's Branch)
BSicon uHST.svg
Gronwyn Wharf winding hole
BSicon uSKRZ-Eu.svg
82
Gronwyn (or Gronwen) Bridge
BSicon uLIFT.svg
82A
Morton Farm Lift Bridge
BSicon uSKRZ-Yu.svg
83
Redwith Bridge (B4396)
BSicon uSKRZ-Eu.svg
84
Pryces Bridge
BSicon uHST.svg
Crickheath Basin winding hole
BSicon ugENDE.svg
Southern limit of restored canal
(northern section)
BSicon gSKRZ-Yu.svg
85
Crickheath Bridge
BSicon ugddSTRl.svg
Crickheath Wharf
BSicon gSKRZ-YuEnd.svg
86
Schoolhouse Bridge (dropped bridge, now rebuilt full-height)
BSicon gSKRZ-Yu.svg
87
Waen Wen Bridge
BSicon gSKRZ-Yu.svg
88
Pant Bridge
BSicon gSTR.svg
89
Site of former railway bridge
BSicon gSKRZ-Yu.svg
90
Rhew Level Lane
BSicon guENDE.svg
Northern limit of restored canal
(middle section)
BSicon uHST.svg
Winding hole (new)
BSicon uABZgr.svg
Llanymynech Wharf arm
BSicon uABZg+r.svg
Llanymynech Wharf arm
BSicon uSKRZ-Au.svg
92
A483 Llanymynech Bridge
BSicon uHST.svg
Llanymynech winding hole
BSicon uENDExe.svg
Southern limit of restored canal
(middle section)
BSicon uexSKRZ-YuEnd.svg
Carreghofa Lane (dropped bridge)
BSicon uexSKRZ-Eu.svg
93
Walls Bridge
BSicon uexmKRZo.svg
Carreghofa (or Wern) Aqueduct
over former railway
BSicon uexSKRZ-Eu.svg
94
Causeway Lane
BSicon uexSTR+GRZq.svg
Junction with the Montgomeryshire Canal

This section (the Llanymynech Branch) is now designated as part of the Montgomery Canal (combining the Llanymynech Branch of the Ellesmere Canal with the Montgomeryshire Canal). The section from Frankton Junction to the Weston Branch was originally intended to be the main line of the canal. Bridge numbering (which starts at Hurleston Junction) continues down the Llanymynech Branch, and despite now being regarded as two separate canals (the Llangollen and the Montgomery) this numbering scheme remains.

The canal at Maesbury Marsh Montgomery Canal at Maesbury Marsh.jpg
The canal at Maesbury Marsh
This part of the towpath approaching Llanymynech has been adopted by the Offa's Dyke Path. Montgomery Canal approaching Llanymynech - geograph.org.uk - 836001.jpg
This part of the towpath approaching Llanymynech has been adopted by the Offa's Dyke Path.
The bridge carries the A483 in Llanymynech. Canal in Llanymynech - geograph.org.uk - 836014.jpg
The bridge carries the A483 in Llanymynech.
Stretches of the canal west of Llanymynech are overgrown. Overgrown canal at Llanymynech - geograph.org.uk - 1570149.jpg
Stretches of the canal west of Llanymynech are overgrown.

Frankton Junction to Weston Lullingfields

The Weston Branch today, now a short arm of the Montgomery Canal Canal stub near Lockgate Bridge - geograph.org.uk - 551991.jpg
The Weston Branch today, now a short arm of the Montgomery Canal

This section was originally intended to be the main line of the canal, and is now infilled. The 5+12-mile-long (9 km) arm had wharves at Hordley, Dandyford, Pedlar's Bridge, Shade Oak and Weston Lullingfields. At Weston Lullingfields the canal company built a wharf, four lime kilns, a public house, stables, a clerk's house and weighing machine. These were opened in 1797 and closed in 1917 when the Weston branch was closed following a breach of the canal. [4]

See also

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References

  1. "Manors and estates in and near the City of Chester". www.british-history.ac.uk. British History Online. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  2. "Local Timeline". Coedpoeth Minerahistory.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 4 July 2012.
  3. Priestly, Joseph (1831). Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals, and Railways, of Great Britain. Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown & Green. p. 244.
  4. Raven, Michael (2005). A guide to Shropshire. Michael Raven. p. 264. ISBN   0-906114-34-9.

53°17′N2°53′W / 53.283°N 2.883°W / 53.283; -2.883