Grand Union Canal Aylesbury Arm
engineered by John Rennie, 6.25 miles long with 16 locks

History and General Knowledge of the Grand Union Canal Aylesbury Arm

This short arm of the Grand Union Canal was three years in construction and is a narrow-beam canal that was used to transport agricultural produce and coal.

The Aylesbury Basin is a popular place to moor up with several water points and other facilities.

Aylesbury Canal Arm has a pair of narrow Staircase Locks where it joins the Grand Union Canal at Marsworth Junction, Locks 1 & 2.

Originally intended to continue on past Aylesbury to Abingdon and to connect to the River Thames. This development was opposed strenuously by landowners along the propose route.

History of the Aylesbury Arm

This branch of the Grand Union Canal is 6.5 miles in length and connects to the Grand Union Canal at Marsworth, near Tring, in Buckinghamshire, England. It was built in the late 18th century to serve the market town of Aylesbury and the surrounding agricultural area.

The Aylesbury Arm was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1810, and construction began the following year. The canal was designed by the engineer John Rennie and it was built by a team of local labourers using picks, shovels and wheelbarrows. The work was completed in 1814, and the canal was officially opened for traffic in September of that year.

The canal was originally used to transport coal, timber and other goods to Aylesbury, which was then a growing market town. The canal was also used to transport agricultural produce, including grain, vegetables, and livestock, to the markets of London and other cities.

During the 19th century, the Aylesbury Arm faced competition from the railway, which began to take over much of the canal's freight traffic. However, the canal remained an important transportation route for coal, stone, and other goods, and it was used for commercial traffic until the mid-20th century.

After the decline of commercial traffic on the canal, it underwent a period of neglect and deterioration. However, in the 1970's and 1980's the canal was restored and improved by the British Waterways Board. The board dredged the canal, repaired the locks and bridges and built new facilities for boaters and visitors.

Today, the Aylesbury Arm is a popular destination for boaters, walkers, and cyclists and it is an important part of the cultural and economic landscape of Buckinghamshire. Its rich history and varied landscapes make it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the history of the canals and waterways of England.