The canal runs from Foxton to Market Harborough and is lock free.
The Grand Union Canal is made up of several sections. The Market Harborough Arm is one of these and branches off the Leicester Line. The junction for which is immediately North of the Foxton Locks.
Completed in 1809, this section of canal was originally intended to go all the way to Norton. This had been agreed by Thomas Telford and an engineer called James Barnes. The arm never got any further than Market Harborough.
History of the Grand Union Canal Market Harborough Arm.
This branch of the Grand Union Canal is a 5.5 mile long canal that branches off from the Grand Union Canal at Foxton Locks, near Market Harborough in Leicestershire, England. It was built in the early 19th century to serve the town of Market Harborough and the surrounding agricultural area.
The canal was authorised by an Act of Parliament in 1805, and construction began the following year. The canal was designed by the engineer Benjamin Bevan, and it was built by a team of local labourers using picks, shovels, and wheelbarrows. The work was completed in 1809 and the canal was officially opened for traffic in October of that year.
The Market Harborough Arm was originally used to transport coal, timber and other goods to Market Harborough, 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 Market Harborough 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 goods such as coal, cement & 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 and bridges, and built new facilities for boaters and visitors.
Today, the Grand Union Canal Market Harborough Arm is a popular destination for boaters, walkers & cyclists and it is an important part of the cultural and economic landscape of Leicestershire. Its rich history and varied landscapes make it a fascinating destination for anyone interested in the history of the canals and waterways of England.
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