Chard Canal

Last Updated on Monday, 04 January 2010 18:11 Wednesday, 30 December 2009 12:05

Total length 13_ miles

Act of Parliament 1834 Surveyor James Green
Completed and opened 1842 Engineer Sydney Hall
Tub boat canal Abandoned and closed 1867

Ran from Bridgwater & Taunton Canal at Creech St Michael via Thornfalcon, Wrantage, Beercrocombe, Ilton, Ilminster and Chard Common to Chard.

There were major engineering works on the whole line. Substantial embankment with aqueducts over railway, river and road between Creech St Michael and Ruishton; deep cutting from Thornfalcon to Lillesdon Tunnel (314 yds) followed by the important site at Wrantage with aqueduct remains, embankment, inclined plane, cutting and tunnel (1800 yds), sixth longest in the UK. Embankment, curring aqueduct and bridge remains are clear to see from Beercrocombe to Ilton. At Ilminster, in spite of recent loss to road works and housing development, a short length of canal is in water in the recreation ground before the site of Ilminster incline and tunnel. Beyond Ilminster access is limited but much of the line is discernable including the remains of the only lock on the canal at Sea. At Chard Common the site of the large Chard Common incline can be seen from a public footpath. This was the only dry carriage inclined plane ever constructed in Britain and was the first application of a water turbine in this country. All significant remains in Chard have been destroyed in recent years with the redevelopment of the former feed mill at the terminal basin, in spite of Grade II listing!

The Waterway Today – Most of the line still exists albeit in multiple private ownership. Many of the sites of significant engineering works, inclines, tunnels, aqueducts, cuttings and embankments can be visited although much of the canal and towpath exist most is not open to public access. This was the last canal to be built in Britain by private enterprise and incorporated the very latest engineering technology of the day and though its working life was very short it worked very well and was only closed because of purchase by the rival railway company.

Copyright© Somerset Waterways Development Trust 2007 . All rights reserved.