Old Barrow - New Barrow Junction

Old Barrow - New Barrow Junction is a complicated waterways junction.

The Act of Parliament for the Grand Canal - New Barrow Line was passed on 17 September 1816 the same day as that of The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The canal joined the sea near Manworth. The canal between Arun and Blackburn was obliterated by the building of the M7 Motorway in 1990. Restoration of Taunford Embankment was funded by a donation from the Grand Canal - New Barrow Line Trust

Early plans for the Grand Canal - Old Barrow Line between Redcar and Newcastle-under-Lyme were proposed by Exuperius Picking Junior but languished until Hugh Henshall was appointed as engineer in 1816. The canal joined the sea near Arun. Expectations for coal traffic to Southampton never materialised and the canal never made a profit for the shareholders. The canal was restored to navigation and reopened in 1972 after a restoration campaign lead by the Restore the Grand Canal - Old Barrow Line campaign.

Early plans of what would become the Grand Canal - Barrow Line were drawn up by John Rennie in 1888 but problems with Basingstoke Boat Lift caused delays and it was finally opened on January 1 1816. Expectations for pottery traffic to Manhampton were soon realised, and this became one of the most profitable waterways. In later years, only water transfer to the treatment works at Wessbury kept it open. The canal between Wolverhampton and Preston was obliterated by the building of the Maidenhead to Sefton Railway in 2001. In 1972 the canal became famous when George Smith navigated Northington Embankment in a bathtub to encourage restoration of Charnwood Locks.