Grand Union Canal Leicester Line
41.2 miles long with 41 locks

History and General Knowledge of the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line

Image by The remains of the Inclined Plane at Foxton Locks

From Norton Junction on the Grand Union Canal to bridge 112 at Blackfriers in the city of Leicester, it is here that the canal becomes the River Soar.

The Leicester Line was made up of two canals. The Leicestershire & Northamptonshire Union Canal originally known as the L & NU and the 'Old' Grand Union Canal. The two were bought by Grand Junction Canal in 1894.

Branching off the 'Grand Union Canal Leicester Line' are the Welford and Market Harborough Arms.

The Grand Junction Canal Company spent much time and effort dredging the canal plus adding the 'Canal Inclined Plane' at what is now the Foxton Locks.

A 'must see' the Foxton Locks is the largest staircase in the entire canal system of the United Kingdom, comprising of two sets of staircase-five locks that are separated by a middle pound allowing two boats to pass each other midway.

Eight more pounds adjacent to the locks are used to fill the locks for use. Each lock draws or releases, half the water needed to raise or lower the lock, from the side pounds. This significantly reduces the amount of water required to traverse the 10 locks.

Found at the same site of Foxton Locks, are the remains of the 'Canal Inclined Plane'. Sadly the plane was not a success commercially. There are plans for a possible revival to alleviate the boat traffic jams at the locks. We'll wait and see on that.

The Leicester Line and River Soar combined are 65.3 miles in length with a total of 59 locks.

History of the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line.

This branch of the Grand Union Canal is a 66-mile long canal that runs from Norton Junction, near Daventry in Northamptonshire, to the city of Leicester in the East Midlands of England. It was originally built to link Leicester with the national canal network and it played an important role in the industrial development of the region.

The canal was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1794 and was designed by the engineer Benjamin Outram. It was constructed over a period of 12 years, using a combination of manual labor and horse-drawn machinery. The canal was officially opened in 1799 and it quickly became an important transportation route for coal, iron and other goods.

During the 19th century, the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line faced competition from the railways, which began to take over much of the canal's freight traffic. However, the canal remained an important transportation route for goods such as cement and gravel, and it was also used for passenger transport.

In the early 20th century, the canal underwent a period of neglect and deterioration, as the decline of the coal and iron industries led to a decrease in demand for transportation. However, in the 1960's and 1970's the canal was restored and improved by the British Waterways Board. The board dredged the canal, repaired the locks & bridges and built new facilities for boaters and visitors.

Today, the Grand Union Canal Leicester Line is a popular destination for boaters, walkers, and cyclists, and it is an important part of the cultural and economic landscape of the East Midlands. Its rich history and varied landscapes make it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the history of the canals and waterways of England.