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(Canal in various ownerships)
The 23-mile Wey & Arun Canal is London's Lost Route to the Sea, and was formerly the only connection from the national inland waterway network to the English Channel. It runs from the Godalming Navigation at Shalford, two miles south of Guildford, to the river Arun at Pallingham, two miles northwest of Pulborough. Restoration of the canal by the Wey & Arun Canal Trust started in 1971 since when 9 locks (out of 27), 22 bridges and 1 aqueduct (out of 3) have been completed. In 2003, half a mile was added to the navigable length, now just over 2 miles, by the opening of the Drungewick Aqueduct and Lock. During summer months, the Trust’s trip boats operate on this section from behind the Onslow Arms pub on the B2133 Loxwood High Street. The Trust also organises a small annual Small Boat Rally.
During 2005, the Trust started on a major project to cross the B2133 and restore the canal northwards. Plans for this crossing are complicated by its coincidence with a bend in the canal and the skewed angle of the intended bridge, as well as the existing embankment carrying several services (water, sewage, telephone, etc). This project is the Trust’s most expensive to date – significantly more than the three-part Drungewick Crossing, which cost £630,000.
