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The History of the Warwick & Birmingham Canal.

On 6th March 1793 the Act was passed for the construction from Saltisford at Warwick to the Digbeth branch of the Birmingham canal at Proof House junction where there would be a stop lock.

Despite the usual delays with raising the funds and completing embankments the canal was officially opened in December 1799. However it was not fully open for traffic until March 1800.

Coal was always the major traffic in 1838 reaching a peak with 218,000 passing through Warwick bar, of a total traffic of over 350,000 tons. The railways soon cut into this coal trade, by 1850 coal passing Birmingham had dropped to 1000,000 despite heavy toll cutting. Though, due to the canalside locations in Birmingham it stayed a major trade, 78,000 tons still being carried in 1905.

In 1840 to 1844 the company was involved in the construction of the Warwick & Birmingham Junction Canal. The loans to do this proved a very heavy financial burden. So in 1845 it was involved with the offer by the London & Birmingham extension and Northampton, Daventry, Leamington & Warwick railway Company to buy all three Warwick canals. A £6,000 deposit was paid. When the railway found legal problems they asked to withdraw but lost their money. However there was still considerable competition from railways forcing reduction of tolls.

As a result in 1853 receivers were appointed for the canal. However the arrangement of a new loan to repay some of the debts lead to the receiver being discharged. In 1855

Other sources of revenue were exploited over the years. In 1860 the United Kingdom Telegraph Company was allowed to carry its wires along the towpath. In 1869 fishing rights were leased on Olton reservoir. In 1871 water supply was agreed for Hatton Asylum.

At the start of the 20th century long distance traffic was declining rapidly, but short distance traffic was buoyant, and the tolls from the Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal that were shared provided a welcome income. This enabled a purchase of a new steam dredger and between 1902 and 1911 the whole of the canal cleared.

The first world war had a major effect on traffic for the canals unlike the railways did not receive any financial assistance at first. Finally in 1917 the government assumed control of the canals and started to pay subsidies allowing more competitive wages. This was phased out in 1920

In 1917 a joint committee was set up to run all three Warwick canals. In 1929 the Grand Junction canal company, which had already absorbed the Old Union and the Leicester & Northampton Navigation joined with the Reagents canal, the Warwick & Napton, the Warwick & Birmingham and the Warwick & Birmingham junction canal companies to form the Grand Union Canal company.

In 1932 they also absorbed the Leicester Navigation, the Loughborough Navigation and the Erewash canal.

The new combined canal was over 300 miles long.

See Grand Union notes for continuing history.

Sources.

Nicholson Guides to the Waterways.

Roots & Routes, Peter Hardcastle's Website
http://www.canals.btinternet.co.uk/index.htm

Canal Companion, South Midlands J.M. Pearson. Published by Central Waterways Supplies of Rugby in 2004. ISBN 0-9545383-8-2

Some pictures of this canal?

Bull's Bridge to Marsworth / Paddington Arm. / Marsworth to Gayton / Aylesbury Arm

Gayton to Norton / Norton to Braunston / Braunston to Napton /Napton to Warwick / Warwick to Lapworth

Lapworth to Camp Hill. / Camp Hill to Salford / Digbeth Branch.

General information

History of the other canals which make up the present Grand Union canal.

The Grand Junction / Warwick to Napton /The Grand Union.

Find our information about other canals on the canal index page.

If you have any questions then do ring us on 07977 229103
or email us at martinreed@reedboats.co.uk