Please note: Nearly all of the property the canal passes through is privately owned and has no Public Rights of Way. This article is solely intended to describe the route of the canal through the Branch's area. To help us maintain good relations with landowners please do not enter private property without prior permission from the owner.
From Savernake Brake (SU247886) to just before Tuckmill Brook (SU249885), the canal was hastily dredged in October 1999 to fit in with the requirements of the farmer and now usually holds water. Negotiations have been finalised for a lease on the canal through this section, with the solicitors due to complete soon.
Tuckmill Brook flows throughout the year, with a very strong current in winter, unfortunately the aqueduct no longer exists. The original aqueduct was built of brick with a single 7 foot arch, although completely disappeared now, many bricks are found when digging in this area. Plans for a new culvert to replace the aqueduct are at an advanced stage. Drawings are complete and have been approved in principle by the Environment Agency.
Immediately to the west of the aqueduct, on the north side of the canal are the remains of what is believed to be a spill weir (SU249885). This could be a unique original structure on the canal and was only discovered recently by a new member who found it difficult to convince anyone that there was actually something there! Cursory investigation has shown that there is a considerable amount of brickwork in situ, albeit disturbed by tree roots, making up the bed of the weir leading towards Tuckmill Brook. There are also a couple of dislodged copingstones, presumably from either side of the weir. At present the Branch has no plans for the restoration of the spill weir and has decided that the remains are best left as they are.
The next section of the canal to just before Bowles’s Bridge (SU261889) is still very well defined although having a very good covering of scrub and trees. It does however, cross private land and access to the canal is not permitted without express permission of the landowner and farmer. The Branch has no immediate plans for this section.
Bowles’s Bridge site is found approximately 200 metres south-east from the junction of the Longcot Road and Compton Beauchamp Road. Looking west, the canal has been partly levelled, leaving only sufficient invert for an open drain. In recent years this small plot of land has been used as a building supply store and gypsy camp. Approximately 200 meters of canal bed has been in-filled and it is not expected to pose too great a problem for restoration. To the west of the bridge site, the canal bed is still well defined and does occasionally hold water although badly silted.
Bowles Bridge - click for larger version
