Monument record 7754/2/1 - Tramway Linking Canal & River Nene

Course of tramway. Built in 1804-5 to link the Grand Junction Canal to Northampton. Replaced by a canal in 1815. Destroyed by quarrying.

{1} Tramway (SP 721558) in the SE corner of the parish, close to the Northampton branch of the Grand Union Canal, at 90 m. above OD.The remains, now totally destroyed by quarrying, were the only surviving section of a tramway built in 1804-5 to link the Grand Junction Canal at Gayton with the River Nene at Northampton. It was used until 1815 when it was replaced by the canal. The line of the canal followed that of the tramway except as this point. Before destruction there was a low curving embankment some 10m across and already reduced by ploughing. Its course is partly shown by the 300ft contour on OS 1:10560 plan SP75NW (1968).

{4} From 1805 unti the canal was finished in 1815 the canal company transported goods along the canal route using an iron plateway for hore-drawn waggons. The plateway is believed to have run on the eastern side of the canal, with its course subsequently forming the wide canal towpath.

{5} RAF aerial photograph: RAF VAP CPE/UK/1926 5029-30

<1> Royal Commission on The Historical Monuments of England, 1982, An Inventory of The Historical Monuments in The County of Northampton, p.130/Site 6 (checked) (Series). SNN77382.

<2> Ordnance Survey, 1968, OS 6 Inch Map, SP75NW (unchecked) (Map). SNN16215.

<3> FAULKNER A.H., 1972, The Grand Junction Canal, p.81-2 (unchecked) (Book). SNN55309.

<5> Royal Air Force, 1940s, RAF Vertical Aerial Photographs, RAF VAP CPE/UK/1926 (Aerial Photograph(s)). SNN105266.

Record last edited

Nov 25 2024 2:15PM