The Wey & Arun Canal - from the Wey to Pallingham


Loxwood

 

With the re-opening of Devils Hole lock in 2010 it is hoped that a new page will be introduced featuring both the opening of that and the Loxwood lock

Loxwood is without a doubt the heart of the modern day Wey and Arun Canal. The Wey and Arun canal Trust have been very active in promoting the canal and ensuring that it is brought back to navigable status. This is seen at its best at Loxwood, and eastwards to Drungewick, which features three operational locks, several rebuilt bridges and a modern aqueduct. A new centrepiece of the canal in Loxwood itself adjacent to the Onslow Arms is the new bridge that crosses an entirely new canal channel and the new, as yet unfinished, Loxwood lock. One of the reasons for this major work has been the need to modify the canal so that it would be able to pass under the main road without altering the road height or line-of-sight, for the road is on a bend as it crosses the bridge. Perhaps not so obvious but another effect of this major work has been the reconstruction of the Onslow Arms' garden so that it was not left standing at a height disproportionate to the new level of the canal. On top of all this, the canal tust operates regular boats trips from the Onslow Arms, and there is one trip on Saturdays called the enthusiasts' trip which takes in the entire restored length of navigable canal as far as Drungewick lock


This is a view looking to the west from the main road crossing at Loxwood. The new section of unfinished canal and lock is apparent. The new lock is neccessary to compensate for the lowering of the Brewhurst pound in order to permit navigable headroom under the road


The new bridge (officially classed a tunnel!) under the B2133 main road at Loxwood, with the yet to be completed canal channel


The new bridge has caused controversy with the residents - the railing are too high and too ugly. They are stipulated by the West Sussex County Council Highways Department, that they must be that size. According to the Wey and Arun Canal Trust changes cannot be made without legal approval from WSCC (see statement by the WACT.) But the villagers wont have it - the issue of the bridge's astethics appears regularly in the local newspaper as the above headlines outside the post office show


The Onlsow Arms with its new lawn and summerhouse, built as part of the works connected to the canal


Adjacent to the Onslow Arms is this milepost denoting 10 miles to the Arun at Pallingham. Actually the end of the canal was at Newbridge, with the bit belonging to the Arun navigation added on to make the total. The distance to the Wey is 13 miles, although this could change with the possible, shorter, route through Sidney Wood. The Wey and Arun Canal Trusts' trip boat Zachariah Keppel begins here. Who was that man anyway? He was the contractor who built most of the Wey and Arun Junction Canal in the early 1800's. The milepost was donated by the publicans of the Onslow Arms


This is a view looking along virtually the entire length of canal from Brewhurst Lock to the Onslow Arms. The trip boat and the new road bridge can just be made out in the distance


Onlookers watching the Zachariah Keppel on one of its Xmas cruises. The boat is about to enter Brewhurst Lock

 
Left: Brewhurst Lock. The tall bottom gates are evident. The lock was restored by 1996, however in 2004 the chamber was lowered but the original bottom gates were left intact. This rather strange arrangement does have the purpose however of showing how much the canal has had to be lowered in order to enable it to pass under the main road at the Onslow Arms. In some ways the image of Brewhurst Lock (left) invokes an image of Dudgrove Double on the Thames and Severn. Right: The John Smallpiece leaving Brewhurst Lock. The height differental in bottom and top gates is obvious


The restored Brewhurst bridge, with the John Smalpiece moored in the distance


Between Brewhurst Bridge and Baldwins Lock is this milepost, denoting 13 and half miles to the Wey


Baldwins Knob Lock


Below Baldwins Lock the canal is pretty close to the River Arun/Chid/Lox (on the left) Its one of many close encounters with the main rivercourse as the canal progresses southwards


Barnsill Bridge, opened in 1989

Next: Drungewick Aqueduct and Lock

Bramley    Linersh    Run Common    Elmbridge    Fast Bridge    Tickners Heath    Fir Tree Copse    Sidney Wood
Gennets Wood    Devils Hole    Loxwood    Drungewick    Newbridge    Lordings    Pallingham    The Feeder    Map