GU Leicester Line - Have the locks north of Kibworth Top Lock on the Grand Union always been broad locks?

[larrysanders]

Just interested to know why the section north of Kibworth Top Lock on the GU Leicester Line has broad locks?  Were they originally narrow and widened, or have they always been broad to accommodate Trent river craft?  I understand the GU was created as smaller canal companies merged - is this part of the reason?

 

Many thanks.  

[David Mack]

The development of what is now the Leicester line of the Grand Union Canal is complex. There is a brief history at https://www.old-union-canals.org/the-old-union-canals.

[larrysanders]

many thanks..  very interesting but doesn't totally answer it..   

[frangar]

I believe they have always been broad. It was built as a wide waterway to market Harborough from the north. 
 

There is more info here

 

https://www.old-union-canals.org/the-old-union-canals

 

edited. Drat!! Didn’t check previous posts!! 
 

there is a wealth of knowledge in the old union canal society. Well worth an email. 

Edited September 9, 2022 by frangar

[Steilsteven]

3 hours ago, larrysanders said:

Just interested to know why the section north of Kibworth Top Lock on the GU Leicester Line has broad locks?  Were they originally narrow and widened, or have they always been broad to accommodate Trent river craft?  I understand the GU was created as smaller canal companies merged - is this part of the reason?

 

Many thanks.  

The answer is hear although it isn't exactly clear - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Soar

 

Keith

[Tim Lewis]

An interesting read: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Union_Canal_(old)

Edited September 9, 2022 by Tim Lewis

[ditchcrawler]

Couldn't widebeams also go up the incline plane 

[magpie patrick]

Short answer - Leicester to Market Harborough was the remnants of an unfinished canal that should have reached Northampton. It was intended to convey barges between the two river navigations. 

 

The route via Foxton and Watford was built later by a different company, for a variety of reasons it was built narrow, as was the Northampton branch of the Grand Junction. Thus the intended route was completed by other means but only for narrow boats.

 

I seem to recall that, when the Grand Junction took over the Foxton route (it wasn't built by them) there was a clause that if they ever widened the Northampton arm they would be required to widen the Foxton route too (or vice versa)

 

I'm not sure how much use was made of wide boats between Leicester and Market Harborough, if any.

[larrysanders]

thanks for the help with this one !! 

 

especially:    makes sense now ! 

 

Leicester to Market Harborough was the remnants of an unfinished canal that should have reached Northampton. It was intended to convey barges between the two river navigations. 

[Philip]

The narrow locks on the Leicester section don't have top gate paddles but the wide locks do have them.