Construction Bridgwater and Taunton Canal

fordgate swing bridge, rebuilt in december 1987, , third fixed bridge reinstated

the canal 12 miles (19 km) long. included 700-yard (640 m) embankment @ lyng, 40 feet (12 m) high, 2 short cuttings, eleven brick-built bridges carry roads on canal, , more twelve timber swing bridges, built provide accommodation crossings farms had been divided line of canal. lock @ firepool (taunton) had set of reverse-facing gates, prevent canal draining if level of river tone dropped. there 4 more locks on main line, , lock @ entrance huntworth basin. 1 final lock connected basin river, , again had set of reverse-facing gates, basin drained @ low tide, , low level retained maintenance if required. system of paddle gearing – using metal ball weights @ top , metal cylinder weights @ bottom – unique bridgwater , taunton canal. on fifty culverts built carry streams , drainage ditches under canal. work completed no recorded incidents of serious injury or death among workforce.

by mid-1826, canal company had insufficient funds complete work, , special meeting authorised taking out of mortgage cover £15,000 deficit. canal obvious competitor river tone navigation, managed conservators of river tone, legal body created purpose act of parliament in 1699. there animosity between company , conservators, company maintaining had right use tone reach centre of taunton, , conservators maintaining did not. canal scheduled opened on 1 january 1827, opening delayed until 3 january, connection river tone not made until 2 january. opening celebrations hampered snow , bitter cold weather.