Kingswood or Lapworth Junction

Saturday, 27 February 2010 21:45

The meeting of three canals

Strictly it is the meeting of a Link Canal and the continuation of the Stratford Canal!

Kingswood Junction signpost

The North Stratford Canal approaches the Junction from the North down the Lapworth Locks. At Kingswood Junction there is a 400 metre Link Canal to the Grand Union Canal. Some call it an "arm", others a "branch" but I shall stick to "Link Canal". The Link Canal is reached through Lock 20 to the left.

The South Stratford Canal continues to the South, with a further 7 Lapworth Locks, beginning immediately with Lock 21.

Lock 21 work blocking the entrance to the South Stratford

Together they make up the Stratford on Avon Canal (SONAC). The northern section was built first and after delays and re-routeing the southern section was finally finished in 1816, a gap of 20 years since construction had begun.

Just to confuse us all, there is also a very short navigable lock-like channel between the Lapworth Link Canal and the Southern Stratford Canal. 

Looking back to channel (left) and Lock 20 from the Lapworth Link

For narrowboats travelling from the Grand Union this link by-passes Lock 20 and spills into the SONAC below Lock 21. It is a tight turn and very narrow and I think that it might cause a few problems in the busier months!

Short channel and Bridge 36A

I walked up the towpath by Lock 20 and over the entrance bridge which carries the towpath to the South Stratford Canal. Lock 21 is all fenced off and below it there is a large basin type pound before the next lock.

The other end of the channel is here - just visible are the Visitor Moorings the other end

Channel from towpath on SONAC

Beside the channel is a barrel roofed cottage - a sign that we were on the Southern section as there are a number of these cottages preserved. Apparently these cottages were built by builders who were used to constructing the barrel-vaulted bridges and they continued the technique with the cottages.

Cottage with barrel type roof

Looking back at the pound below Lock 21, this view also shows the cottage on the island between the Link canal and the South Stratford.

Lock pound

Lock 22 with its split bridge

Lock 23 is being worked on too

The locks further down the South Stratford are also part of the stoppage and due to the delays will now not be open until the end of March, according to the latest from BW. So it looks as if the South Stratford may be open for Easter, just in time for the hire boats!