A quintessentially rural canal, the 33 mile long Grantham traverses three shire counties

Decline and Dereliction

1936 - Closure Act
A Closure Act was passed in 1936 but with the proviso that a two foot level of water should be maintained to support agricultural needs.

1950s - Vandalism!
In the 1950's all but 23 of the 69 bridges over the canal were flattened to make way for road improvements. Some saw this as exigent, others as nothing more than legalised vandalism.

Above is a typical example of a dropped bridge (this one is number 12 - near the Cotgrave car park). The water flow is through two concrete pipes. These dropped bridges are one of the major challenges facing the canal restorers - the others being the link to the Trent and of course, the locks.

In 1947 the railways, and hence the canal, were nationalised.

In 1963 control of the canal passed to British Waterways

1968 - Canal 'Remaindered'
In 1968 the canal was placed into a 'remaindered' state, which involved maintenance of the water level and general maintenance of the line. It is perhaps interesting to note that the Grantham fared better than some canals where, in some cases, the line was totally obliterated.