Bridgwater and Taunton Canal

Last Updated on Thursday, 28 January 2010 10:22 Wednesday, 30 December 2009 12:11

Total length 14_ miles

Acts of Parliament 1811, 1824, 1837
Completed 1827 to Huntworth
1841 to Bridgwater Dock

Planned as the Bristol to Taunton canal the less ambitious scheme from Bridgwater was approved in 1824 and the canal was completed from the River Parrett at Huntworth to Firepool, Taunton in 1827.

After extensive wrangling with the Conservators of the River Tone over water supply and lost revenue, the canal company purchased the rights to navigation on the river connection was made through Firepool lock. Links were made, in 1838 and 1842 to the Grand Western Canal at Firepool and the Chard Canal at Creech St Michael but imminent arrival of the Bristol and Exeter Railway foretold a threat to the important South Wales coal trade on the canal and prompted the canal company to apply to Parliament to extend the canal to the north of Bridgwater and build a floating harbour and dock with connection to the River Parrett. This action secured the supply of South Wales coal avoided the “Sea Carried” tax which required navigating across the Bristol Channel south of Holm Islands and, for a while kept Forest of Dean and South Gloucestershire coal out of the County. Competition from the railway eventually led to the proprietors agreeing to see the canal and docks to the Bristol and Exeter Railway and in 1907 the last recorded cargo passed from Bridgwater dock to a wharf in North Town, Taunton.

The Waterway Today – The canal remained navigable until WWII when it was incorporated into the “Wessex Stop Line” a defensive barrier to delay an invading army to allow time for Government to re-locate east or west of the line. To create this defensive barrier the swing bridges were fixed and Pill Boxes were built along the towing path. After the war no effort was made to re-instate the swing bridges so no vessels could pass for trade or maintenance and slowly lock gates and culverts fell into disrepair. After many years of campaigning by IWA and SIWS a report was produced by IWAAC on the potential of the canal and advice on options for the future. With commendable foresight SCC, BW and the District Councils agreed that to restore to full navigable standard was the best value option, even though the most difficult and costly. Restoration was completed in 1994 and the canal re-opened for navigation. Improvements to user facilities and attractions have continued to take place ever since. The towpath is now home to the Somerset Space Walk and is part of National Cycle Route 3. Bridgwater Dock is being developed as a marina, boat moorings have been created at Bathpool, Maunsel, Boat & Anchor and YMCA, Bridgwater, and the Maunsel Canal Centre and Tea Garden is a popular venue at North Newton.

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