Kendal Canal ticket office - Blue Plaques on Waymarking.com

The Preston to Tewitfield portion of the Canal was officially opened on 22nd of November 1797, with the Tewitfield section finally linking the Kendal section in 1819, completing the canal course to Lancaster. In its 125 year working life span, the canal brought prosperity to Kendal, as coal was imported for the various industries that were housed in and around the town, and limestone and slate from local quarries and other manufactured goods that local industries were producing at the time were exported.

As the railways began to improve the speed and efficiency of the movement of goods and raw materials, the canals eventually began to decline. The Lancaster to Kendal canal was no different, and when the railways arrived in Kendal in the 1840’s, the amount of trade conducted over the canal began to decrease. The last barge load of coal was brought to Kendal in 1944, and although small amounts of trade continued, and passenger barges still frequented the 14 mile stretch of canal, it soon became obvious that this mode of transport was needed no more.

The project to return the land the canal basin and Canal Head occupied to building land, commenced in 1947, and from that time on, the course of the canal became an ideal site for land fill. A final death blow to the canal was dealt in the 1960’s when the M6 motorway was constructed, severing the canal’s route in several places. It’s interesting to note however, that since at least early 2002, plans have been prepared to re-open the Northern Reaches to traffic again. To get further information on this epic project, visit www.thenorthernreaches.co.uk. From Stainton to Kendal, the canal has been turned into a cycle path and footpath.

The current occupier is Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd, formed in 1853, a UK based engineering business. Their technology base is one of fluid movement, either in the form of pumping a variety of fluids from one place to another or using water to generate electricity.

Links
THE NORTHERN REACHES RESTORATION GROUP (visit link)
Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd (visit link)

Blue Plaque managing agency: Kendal Civic Society Individual Recognized: Kendal Canal Physical Address: Gilbert Gilkes & Gordon Ltd Canal head North Kendal, Cumbria England LA9 7BZ Web Address: [Web Link]

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