Daventry Canal plans revealed

Detailed plans to build a two-mile canal from the Grand Union Canal to Daventry town centre have been disclosed. The Daventry Canal received planning permission in January this year and last month councillors approved plans to prepare a cost assessment business plan.

Daventry District Council’s (DDC) economic, regeneration and employment portfolio holder Councillor, Colin Poole, said: “Attracting more visitors, business and investment into Daventry District is a priority for our Council and we believe our long-term vision for a new destination canal into Daventry will bring these benefits for all residents.”

Narrow boats only
The majority of the canal (which has planning permission) is 2.5km and runs from Northern Way (bridge) to the junction with the Grand Union Canal. The section of the canal within TCV Site 3 is expected to be 0.5km.

Designed for narrow boats only, the canal will be 10m wide for the majority of its length and 1.5m deep.

There are six locks on the length that has planning permission, said DCC. It may be necessary to construct a further lock with a rise of 1.7m in TCV Site 3 to enable the canal to pass over some public utility services.

Three pedestrian bridges
The canal will be crossed by a pedestrian bridge at either end and a vehicular and pedestrian bridge near the Daventry Reservoir dam.

There will be two mooring basins with electricity and water supplies, both at the town end of the canal.

The water supply and level will be maintained by a pumping system from a chamber connected to the bottom lock.

The canal will have a lining most likely made of bentonite clay to ensure minimum leakage.

Nearly £25m cost
The full cost of the build is anticipated to be circa £20m with circa a further £4m for the section in Site 3.

The start of construction will depend on when funding becomes available, but it is likely to begin before expiry of the planning permission in January 2020.