Nottingham Canal

Nottingham Canal was a 14.75-mi long canal between Langley Mill and Nottingham.

Related Topics:
Langley Mill - Nottingham

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The idea for the canal first rose in 1790. Three businessmen planned the route to cut coal transportation costs to the area. In 1791 the charter group called in surveyor William Jessop, who had experience with the successful Cromford Canal. In 1792 the canal was promoted through Parliament, and engineering began. Problems arose with the intended path of the canal (it flowed directly over the canal's chief financial sponsor's estate) and with Jessop, who became ill and was forced to give up his post as chief engineer. Despite this, the canal opened in 1796.

Related Topics:
Canal - William Jessop - Cromford Canal

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At first, the canal was praised by the citizenry, who saw shipments of building materials, coal, and agricultural tools come in to the area. However, the canal owners' tolls soon became excessive, and led to mass discontent. When the first railways arrived in the 1840s, a number of shippers quickly abandoned the canals. Throughout the 19th century the canal was in continuous decline as a transport route, and it was finally abandoned altogether in 1936. The following year the rail company which owned it shut down the main stretch of the canal, with a portion of the Nottingham Canal (between Trent and Lenton) being reclassified as part of the River Trent Navigation.

Related Topics:
Trent - Lenton - River Trent Navigation

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Since 1977, the Broxtowe borough has owned the canal and maintained it as a nature preserve and walking trail.

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