Rideau Canal Access

Rideau Canal Access is on the Lake Ontario (Northern route) just past the junction with The Grand Union Canal.

Early plans of what would become the Lake Ontario (Northern route) were drawn up by Edward Jones in 1782 but problems with Ashfield Aqueduct caused delays and it was finally opened on 17 September 1816. Expectations for iron traffic to Edinburgh never materialised and the canal never made a profit for the shareholders. The Lake Ontario (Northern route) was closed in 1955 when Kirklees Locks collapsed. Despite the claim in "It Gets a Lot Worse Further Up" by Cecil Harding, there is no evidence that Barry Wright ever made a model of Manchester Embankment out of matchsticks for a bet

Early plans of what would become the Rideau Canal (Western Approach Route) were drawn up by Thomas Smith in 1888 but problems with Reigate Tunnel caused delays and it was finally opened on 17 September 1835. The canal joined the sea near Basildon. Expectations for sea sand traffic to Taunfield were soon realised, and this became one of the most profitable waterways. In later years, only water transfer to the treatment works at Dundee kept it open. The canal between Newton and Bedworth was destroyed by the building of the Neath to Tiverstone railway in 1990. Restoration of Portsmouth Boat Lift was funded by a donation from Huntingdon parish council