click picture to enlarge

"This picture 'Post Diluvium Reparations' was taken in the early 1960's following the disastrous flooding of Taunton, October 26/27 1960. The river authority embarked on a programme of diverting and dredging the River Tone, to avoid a similar event happening. It was a common sight to see diggers working on the river bed, with the bemused aquatic animals looking on"
Ralph Bale - Taunton

The Somerset Space Walk is a unique canal walk between Bridgwater and Taunton, where scale models of the planets are sited at accurate intervals along the canal. The sun, at Higher Maunsel Lock, is roughly halfway between the two towns. You can walk either way from here, as the planets have been sited in two 'orbits'. And happily, five miles from Higher Maunsel in each direction, there is a pub next to Pluto! You can also take refreshments at the Canal Resource Centre at Lower Maunsel Lock, where there is much more information about the walk. Fittingly, the walk was opened on 9th August 1997 by astronomer Heather Couper. Click Here For Walk Information

click here for Creech St Michael Waterway Walk

'After this, began the amusements, such as cards, backgammon, smoking, bowls and skittles, pitch a toss, etc. These continued till the time arrived returning as far as Ham Mills, to the house of the person who collected the Tolls, and did most of the business to the management of the river for the Conservators. Here again, was an ample supply of cream, cakes, to and everything requisite for a sumptuous tea, the amusements were revived till the voice of the bargeman signified it would be dark before the boat would be back to Taunton; they then embarked, and tales, songs and witticisms filled up the time till the boat was safely moored near one of the arches of the Tone Bridge; here the evening was ended in a jovial and convivial way, the party being joined by a number of their friends (male and I have known females also) who had been anxiously awaiting the return of those bold navigators from so perilous a voyage!'

Tony Haskell's 'By Waterway To Taunton' ISBN 0 86183 260 4

Illustration shown is also by Tony Haskell

Canal Navigation Details:

The Bridgwater & Taunton Canal is isolated but fully navigable. Note that there is currently no connection between the canal and the River Parrett, since the lock at Bridgwater Docks has been put out of use to prevent silt from the river clogging up the canal.

Headroom: 7ft 1in (2.1m)

Max. Boat Length: 5ft 10in (15.8m)

Max. Boat Beam: 13ft 7in (4.1m)

Other restricting dimensions: Locks are 4.4m (14ft 6in) wide; beam is restricted by bridges.

Taunton's Waterways

A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE RIVER TONE AND A LOOK AT ITS FUTURE

INTRODUCTION

By Tony Haskell

THE BRIDGWATER AND TAUNTON CANAL

The Bridgwater and Taunton Canal was completed in 1827, connecting the River Tone at Taunton to the River Parrett, just south of Bridgwater. With the construction of Bridgwater Dock in 1841, to the north of the town the route of the canal was changed to enter the Dock, and thus provide direct access for barges whilst also giving a source of water to replenish the Dock.

For over fifty years, the canal barges carried considerable cargoes to and from Taunton, but this slowly declined with the competition of the railways, and, by 1906, all commercial traffic ceased. From that time, until World War II, the canal was kept in fair condition with the water channel full - acting as an essential land drainage channel - although six locks fell into disrepair.

In 1962, ownership passed to the British Waterways Board (now British Waterways), and in 1968, it was classified as a 'remainder waterway', the Board being relieved of navigational responsibilities the following year. With Somerset being a popular holiday county, it was inevitable, perhaps, that proposals to restore the canal to navigation, particularly for popular boating, were advanced.

In 1981, the County Council requested that the County Planning Officer carry out surveys to establish the feasibility of the canal restoration, and two years later, when a fully costed assessment had been made, the Council resolved, in association with the owners and the two District Councils through whose area the canal flowed - Sedgemoor District and the Borough of Taunton Deane - that a 10-year programme of restoration to full navigation be put in hand.

The 1983 study had estimated that the total costs to ensure navigation over the 22.5 km (14 miles) of canal would be £650,000, which included an annual sum for maintenance. These costs were to be shared equally by the various contributors. It was to be another two years before a practical start could be made. At the end of 1991 about 16 km (10 miles), from Bridgwater Dock, had been opened to public navigation, with a regular boat trip service operating in the summer months.

A major aspect of the restoration works has been the replacement of the 'fixed' swingbridges over the Canal by new bridges capable of swinging open for boating, whilst being operated by one person. Designs resembling the Victorian originals were adopted, although as each bridge would now have to carry far heavier loads due to the increased weight of much agricultural machinery, steel would need to be incorporated into the bridge structure. Each bridge, including strengthening the abutments, cost around £30,000 in 1988. Where other low bridges were encountered, mainly lightly used agricultural crossings, these were raised to achieve the necessary headroom of just under 2.5 m (8 ft), but only if there was sufficient space on the canal sides for the extended approaches. The cost of raising a bridge was appreciably cheaper, at about £5000 each.

The six locks needed repairs to both the chambers and the gates, and, as the public would now be using the canal, each lock had to have safety chains and ladders. Four small car parks and picnic sites adjacent to the canal have also been provided, the land purchase costs for these being grant-aided by the Countryside Commission.

Early on, at the start of restoration, a Canal Committee was set up, comprising representatives of the three Councils, also attended by British Waterways, in order to oversee progress and budgeting allocations. Latterly, this was supplemented with a Users Forum, at which many organizations and interest groups involved in the canal restoration could offer points of view as and when the work proceeded.

Once restoration has been achieved throughout the total length, it is the intention of the three local authorities to press for the present designation of, remainder waterway' to be upgraded to 'cruiserway', and hence ensure the canal's continued protection, whilst possibly attracting additional, amenity' funding from British Waterways. To this end, a 21-year maintenance agreement has already been entered into jointly by the three Councils with the Board, which ensures additional maintenance funds, incurred by the Board due to public navigation, are available.

In the early years of the restoration, considerable assistance was given by the MSC schemes, principally the Community Project teams, when over 30 staff was employed. At the demise of the Community Project, and with the work still unfinished, the County Council funded the retention of some of the site staff. This has enabled the project to proceed to the point where, within the next two years, it is hoped to complete the restoration of this canal.

To Read More About The River Tone by Civic Society member Tony Haskell Click Your Area of Interest below