Oxford Canal Aqueduct - Nr Brinklow, Warwickshire, UK
Posted by: 
Dragontree
N 52° 25.111 W 001° 21.057
30U E 612145 N 5808867
This old aqueduct takes the Oxford Canal over the Smite Brook.
Waymark Code: WM9FWF
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 08/15/2010
Views: 7
The imposing aqueduct appears through the undergrowth as you walk along the rights of way. From above you can be forgiven for not knowing it exists as it just looks like a normal canalside aspect. From below a narrow footpath leads under the aqueduct leading to the railway and beyond, including to Newbold Revel College.
Wikipedia describes the Oxford Canal:
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'The Oxford Canal was constructed in several stages over a period of more than twenty years.
In 1769 an Act of Parliament authorising the Oxford Canal was passed, having been promoted in Parliament by Sir Roger Newdigate MP, who chaired the canal company. The intention was to link the industrial English Midlands to London via the River Thames. Construction began shortly after near Coventry.
Surveying of the route and initial construction were originally supervised by the celebrated engineer James Brindley, assisted by Samuel Simcock who was also Brindley's brother-in-law. Brindley died in 1772 but Simcock took over and completed the canal. By 1774 the canal had reached Napton, but the company was already running out of money.
In 1775, a second Act was passed allowing the company to raise more funds. Construction soon started again and by 1778 the canal had reached Banbury. Financial problems meant that work on the final stretch to Oxford did not begin until 1786.
The stretch of the canal from Banbury to Oxford was built as cheaply as possible. Many economy measures were used. Wherever possible, wooden lift or swing bridges were built instead of expensive brick ones. Deep locks were used wherever possible, with single gates at both ends instead of double gates.
A stretch of the River Cherwell at Shipton-on-Cherwell was incorporated into the canal. This reduced construction costs, but the behaviour of the river makes the canal more difficult to use. This was a false economy and its adverse effects continue to be felt to this day.
The Oxford Canal reached the outskirts of Oxford in 1789, when a coal wharf was opened at Heyfield Hutts, now the site of Heyfield Road. The final section into central Oxford was ceremonially opened on 1 January 1790.'