Decline and Closure
Following the development of the railways, trade declined along the length
of the Wilts & Berks Canal, profits dropped, and the company became less
interested in the vital, but costly, task of maintaining the fabric of the
canal. In 1874, water levels in the canal were described as so low, and
locks and bridges so badly maintained, that it took 10 days to travel the 40
miles to Wantage, with high tolls being charged for the journey.
Neglect caused leaks and, landslips, and even flooding in the centre of
Chippenham. By 1894, the locks were described as ‘dangerous’ and the bridges
‘out of order’ and some had been declared unsafe for public use. It was
clear that closure had to be considered, although this was initially
opposed, mainly by landowners and farmers, because of the loss of an
important water supply.
The
canal company was in favour of closure as it had become a financial burden,
and in 1901, their cause was boosted by an apparent disaster: the collapse
of the Stanley Aqueduct. This had carried the water supply across the River
Marden, and now the canal emptied into the river below.
In
the following years, the canal into Chippenham became an informal drain, an
unofficial rubbish dump and a refuge for colonies of rats; it was eventually
filled in and grassed over. The whole canal was eventually abandoned in
1914, when the Act of Parliament transferred Coate reservoir and the Swindon
section to Swindon Borough, and the remainder mainly back to local
landowners.
Sources:
Doug
Small The Wilts & Berks Canal
Ray
Alder Chippenham and the Wilts & Berks Canal
Wikepedia The Wilts & Berks Canal