Comment
Canalside Draft DPD
Representation ID: 71643
Received: 15/10/2019
Respondent: Robert Goundry
Though not perhaps of the first importance, the “History” part of the DPD is inaccurate in a couple of respects, at least.
1.Canals were not built for raw materials alone. Before the railways came – and into the 1960s – narrow canals were also used for finished and semi-finished products. For instance, pottery, chemicals, steel and food were all carried.
2.Commercial carrying on the narrow canals went on until the early 1970s, although decline had begun in the aftermath of WWII and was hastened by the disastrous winter of 1962/3, when the canals were severely disrupted by months of thick ice. However, I can remember seeing coal boats in 1970, and imported lime juice in 1975. Sporadic traffics were carried after this date, for instance aggregates, and sawdust in the Stockton area of Warwickshire.
Though not perhaps of the first importance, the “History” part of the DPD is inaccurate in a couple of respects, at least.
1.Canals were not built for raw materials alone. Before the railways came – and into the 1960s – narrow canals were also used for finished and semi-finished products. For instance, pottery, chemicals, steel and food were all carried.
2.Commercial carrying on the narrow canals went on until the early 1970s, although decline had begun in the aftermath of WWII and was hastened by the disastrous winter of 1962/3, when the canals were severely disrupted by months of thick ice. However, I can remember seeing coal boats in 1970, and imported lime juice in 1975. Sporadic traffics were carried after this date, for instance aggregates, and sawdust in the Stockton area of Warwickshire.