South portal - Newbold tunnel - Old Oxford canal - Newbold, Rugby
Posted by: 
ntpayne
N 52° 23.327 W 001° 17.280
30U E 616504 N 5805659
Disused canal tunnel at newbold-upon-Avon
Waymark Code: WMR73V
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/20/2016
Views: 2
As originally constructed, the northern section of the Oxford Canal from Hawkesbury to Napton junction closely followed the contours. From Hawkesbury to Hillmorton it took the line of the 300ft contour; then, having ascended through three locks; it followed the 325ft contour to Napton. A 16 mile flight for a crow became a 44 mile voyage for a boat.
To combat a proposal made in 1827 for a London & Birmingham Junction Canal, a wide waterway designed by Thomas Telford, which would have bypassed the Oxford completely, the Oxford Company decided to modernise its own canal. Within a few months plans were produced to shorten the line by nearly 14 miles, with embanked cuts and large aqueducts replacing the meandering loops. Although the London & Birmingham proposal eventually came to nothing, the Oxford went ahead with its scheme which, in view of the profits the company was making, it could well afford. In May 1834 the new line was opened. Not all the planned alterations were effected and the line was shortened by just over 11 miles.
The north portal of the old Newbold Tunnel was on the north side of the road; the tunnel took the canal under the road and the churchyard emerging in a field on the southwest side of the church, where the brick south portal can still be seen. The tunnel, some 400ft long, was altered during construction for fear it would affect the stability of the church. The northern section was wider, with a flatter arch; the southern part was made elliptical and the width of the wooden towpath was reduced.
Is the Tunnel in Use?: Redundant
Which End is this Entrance?: South
Date Constructed: 01/01/1772
Length of Tunnel: Not known
Construction Material: Brick lined
Associated Website: Not listed
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