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IWA Branch
Navigation Authority
Sleaford Navigation Trust, 10 Chelmer Close, NORTH HYKEHAM, LN6 8TH
Tel: 01522 689460
The section, known as Kyme Eau, from the River Witham at Chapel Hill to Sleaford is navigable. This stretch is 7.5 miles (12.1km) long with 2 locks. There is an active restoration project for the rest of the canal.
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
70ft | 14ft | 5ft 6in | 2ft |
21.33m | 4.2m | 4.66m | 0.60m |
Historical Information
The river Slea and the Kyme Eau were developed into the Sleaford Navigation in order to link Sleaford to Boston for trade. During the early nineteenth century, the canal was a success but by the 1870s income fell and the canal was closed in 1881. The waterway remained as a drainage channel with much of it navigable for another 50 years. Lower Kyme Lock was replaced by a sluice but in 1986, the lock was reinstated. The reopening of Cobblers Lock in the 1990s made eight miles of navigable waterway accessible.
Sleaford Navigation Trust has restored the waterway from the river Witham to the current head of navigation at Cobblers Lock. The lock was restored about ten years ago, but the Trust needs to find the finance to complete flood protection works on the banks above the lock before it is able to install gates. More recently, with support from WRG, the Trust has worked on Haverholme Lock. Work on the historic Seed Warehouse and Navigation House, in Sleaford, has been completed with a funded package arranged by the Town District Council. During 2004, the Trust purchased, with the support of an IWA grant, to purchase the freehold of the top 1.5 miles of riverbed of the navigation, including Bone Mill and Cogglesford Locks, in Sleaford. .
Further Information
Websites
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