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Lee Navigation

Lee Navigation
Lee Navigation at Bow Creek
Map
Specifications
Length27.5 miles (44.3 km)
Maximum boat length88 ft 0 in (26.82 m)
Maximum boat beam15 ft 9 in (4.80 m)
Locks21
StatusOpen
Navigation authorityCanal & River Trust
History
Principal engineerThomas Yeoman
Other engineer(s)Edward Rubie
Date of act29 June 1767
Date completed1771
Geography
Start pointHertford Castle Weir
End pointRiver Thames
Branch(es)
Lee Navigation
Hertford Castle Weir
Hertford Town Mill Bridge
Folly Bridge
Hertford Basin
River Beane
Hertford Lock No.1
River Rib
New River Gauge House
 A10 
Ware Weir
Ware Lock No.2
Ware Visitor Moorings
 A1170  Ware Town Bridge
Hardmead Lock No.3
River Ash
Stanstead Lock No.4
(Swing Bridge over Lock)
 B181 
 A414 
Stort Navigation
Feildes Weir Lock No.5
New River continues down
Flood Relief Channel
Dobbs Weir
Flood Relief Channel sluice
Dobbs Weir Lock No.6
Nazeing Mead (lake)
River Lynch
Boating Lakes
Carthagena Lock No.7
52
New Nazeing Road Bridge
Flood Relief Channel
Broxbourne Mill
Kings Weir
49
Slipe Lane Bridge
Holyfield Lake
Aqueduct Lock No.8
Small River Lea
Cheshunt Lock No.9
Seventy Acres Lake (R)
Waltham Common Lock No.10
Powdermill Cut
Waltham Town Lock No.11
42
 A121  Waltham Town Bridge
Horsemill Stream sluice
40A
 M25 
Cobbins Brook
Rammey Marsh Lock No.12
40
Rammey Marsh Bridge
Cattlegate Flood Relief Channel
Enfield Lock No.13
37A
Enfield Road Bridge
Turkey Brook + Pumping Stn
King George's Reservoir
King George's Reservoir
Ponders End Mill Stream
35
 A110  Lea Valley Road Bridge
Ponder's End Locks No.14
William Girling Reservoir PS
River Lee Diversion
Pickett's Lock No.15
28
 A406  Bleak Hall Bridge
Banbury Reservoir
Stonebridge Locks No.16
Lockwood Reservoir
Maynard Reservoirs
Tottenham Locks No.17
River Lee Flood Relief Channel
24
 A503  Ferry Lane Bridge
23
Tottenham Railway Bridge
22
Markfield Railway Bridge
19A
Ferry Railway Bridge
18
 A104  Lea Bridge Road
Pond Lane Flood Gates No.18
17
 B112  Cow Bridge
14
 A12  East Cross Route Bridge
12
Hackney Wick Railway Bridge
11
White Post Lane Bridge + Halfway Bridge
Hertford Union Canal
Bow Back Rivers
Old Ford Locks No.19
London Stadium
District line Bridge
Bow Back Rivers
A11 Bow Bridge
Three Mills tide mill + Three Mills Lock
Bow Locks
Limehouse Cut + Bow Creek
 A13  Barking Road Bridge
Limehouse Basin
Limehouse Lock +  A1020 
River Thames

The Lee Navigation is a canalised river incorporating the River Lea (also called the River Lee along the sections that are navigable). It flows from Hertford Castle Weir to the River Thames at Bow Creek; its first lock is Hertford Lock and its last Bow Locks.

Name

The Lee Navigation is named by Acts of Parliament and is so marked on Ordnance Survey maps. Constructed elements and human features are spelled Lee, such as the canal system and Lee Valley Park. The un-canalized river is spelled Lea, along with other natural features such as Lower Lea Valley.

History

The River Lea is a major tributary of the River Thames. It has a long association with navigation, as the marshes of Walthamstow have produced a dugout canoe from the Bronze Age and parts of a Saxon barge. According to the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, the river was used by Viking raiders, and King Alfred changed the level of the river to strand Guthrum and his fleet.[1] In more peaceful times, it became important for the transport of grain from Hertfordshire, but navigation of its southernmost tidal reaches of Bow Creek were difficult due to its tortuous meanders.

River Lee Navigation Act 1425
Act of Parliament
Long titleChancellor may award commissions to reform the River Lee.
Citation3 Hen. 6. c. 5
Dates
Royal assent14 July 1425
Commencement30 April 1425
Other legislation
Repealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1948
Status: Repealed
River Lee Navigation Act 1430
Act of Parliament
Long titleThe chancellor of England may grant his commission to certain persons to scour, and amend the river Ley in the counties of Essex, Hertford, and Middlesex.
Citation9 Hen. 6. c. 9
Dates
Royal assent12 January 1431
Commencement20 March 1431
Other legislation
Repealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1948
Status: Repealed

There is documentary evidence that the river was altered by the Abbot of Waltham to improve navigation in 1190, and in 1221, a pipe was laid across the river, which had to be protected from "the oars or poles of the watermen."[2] The first Act of Parliament for improvement of the river, the River Lee Navigation Act 1425} (3 Hen. 6. c. 5), was granted in 1425,[3] this also being the first act granted for navigational improvement in England. A second act was passed in 1430, River Lee Navigation Act 1430 (9 Hen. 6. c. 9), and both authorised local landowners to act as commissioners, who could make improvements to the river including scouring or dredging, and could recoup the cost of the work by levying tolls.[2]

River Lee Navigation Act 1571
Act of Parliament
Long titleAn Acte for the brynging of the Ryver of Lee to the Northside of the Citie of London.
Citation13 Eliz. 1. c. 18
Dates
Royal assent29 May 1571
Other legislation
Repealed byStatute Law Revision Act 1948
Status: Repealed

By 1571, the river was an important route for the carriage of grain to London, and the City of London obtained another act, the River Lee Navigation Act 1571 (13 Eliz. 1. c. 18) to authorise improvements. This included making new cuts, and creating towpaths on both sides of the river. Shoals were removed, and a cut, probably the section which is now called Bow River from Old Ford Locks to Bow Locks, was excavated, which was not subject to any tolls. The plan for a branch from the river to the north of London was not implemented.[4] One innovation was the construction of a pound lock at Waltham Abbey, Essex, in 1577. This had mitred gates at each end,[5] and was probably the second lock to be built in England, although it was the first to be built on a river. It inspired Vallens to write a poem entitled "A tale of Two Swannes" about it in 1590. It was 70 by 24 feet (21.3 by 7.3 m), with wooden sides.[6] The remainder of the control of levels was carried out by "staunches" or "turnpikes", consisting of a single vertically lifting gate in a weir, through which boats were pulled against the current.

The New River was an attempt to supply clean water from near Ware to the citizens of London, which was completed in 1633. However, the springs at Great Amwell soon proved to be inadequate, and water was drawn from the Lea. The increased extraction of water had a detrimental effect on milling and navigation, and by the early 1700s it had become clear that major work would be needed to produce a solution.[7]

Smeaton's design

River Lee Navigation Act 1738
Act of Parliament
Long titleAn Act for ascertaining, preserving, and improving, the Navigation of the River Lee, from the Town of Hertford, to the Town of Ware, in the County of Hertford; and for preserving and improving the said River, from the said Town of Ware, to the new Cut, or River, made by the Mayor, Commonalty, and Citizens of London; and for enabling the Governor and Company of The New River the better to supply the Cities of London and Westminster, and the Liberties and Suburbs thereof, with good and wholesome Water.
Citation12 Geo. 2. c. 32
Dates
Royal assent13 June 1739

A petition was presented to Parliament resulting in the River Lee Navigation Act 1738 (12 Geo. 2. c. 32).[3] While recognising the right of the New River Company to extract water, it also enshrined the rights of the millers and bargemen. To resolve a problem where the New River works had blocked the Manifold Ditch, and boats had been forced to use the mill stream to Ware Mill, the mill was bought by the company, and the associated lock became an official right of way. The previous administration by commissioners was replaced by a body of trustees, which it was hoped would be better able to manage the navigation. Although at least two flash locks were built, including one to assist passage past the mill at Broxbourne, there was still friction between the bargemen and the millers, since the use of a flash lock tended to lower the water level above it, to the detriment of the mill. In 1765, the trustees therefore asked John Smeaton to assess the navigation and make recommendations for its improvement.[8]

River Lee Navigation Act 1767
Act of Parliament
Long titleAn Act for improving the Navigation of the River Lee, from the Town of Hertford, to the River Thames and for extending the said Navigation to the Flood Gates belonging to the Town Mill in the said Town of Hertford.
Citation7 Geo. 3. c. 51
Dates
Royal assent29 June 1767

Smeaton made a survey of the river and produced a report in 1766, in which he recorded that there were 18 staunches at the time, with a lock at Ware and tidal gates at Bow. He recommended that the staunches should be replaced by pound locks, and that several new cuts should be made. These recommendations formed the basis for a Parliamentary bill, which was opposed by the owners of the Shoreditch to Enfield turnpike road, the West Ham waterworks and the Waltham Abbey Royal Gunpowder Mills, who were all concerned that their rights would be affected. However, the trustees were granted an act, the River Lee Navigation Act 1767 (7 Geo. 3. c. 51), on 29 June and appointed Thomas Yeoman to oversee the work at their first meeting held two days later.[9]

The act authorised the construction of several new stretches of canal, including the Edmonton Cut from Flanders Weir at Chingford to the mill stream at Walthamstow, the Hackney Cut from Lea Bridge to Old Ford, and the Limehouse Cut to bypass the tight bends of Bow Creek near the River Thames. Yeoman was also responsible for setting out towing paths, designing 35 roving bridges, and construction of lock gates. For the Limehouse Cut, Yeoman proposed a cut from Bow tidal gates to Dingley's Wharf at Limehouse, which would shorten the distance to London considerably, since it would avoid the long passage around the Isle of Dogs. Mr Dingley, owner of the wharf and a trustee, was awarded part of the contract, and the cut was expected to open on 2 July 1770, but some brickwork failed and had to be repaired. A bridge collapsed in December, but traffic soon developed, and the cut had to be widened to allow barges to pass one another along its entire length. The widening was completed on 1 September 1777.[10]

River Lee Navigation Act 1779
Act of Parliament
Long titleAn Act for preserving the Navigation of the River Lee, in the Counties of Hertford, Essex and Middlesex.
Citation19 Geo. 3. c. 58
Dates
Royal assent31 May 1779

The trustees decided to finance the work with a loan, and advertisements appeared in the London Gazette and other newspapers, indicating that they wished to raise £35,000. The response was huge, with £161,500 being offered, and subscribers were chosen by ballot. Yeoman was overworked, and Edward Rubie was appointed to assist him in February 1769. New cuts and pound locks were opened at Waltham Abbey, Edmonton and Hackney in 1769. In total, 11 miles (18 km) of new cuts were constructed, with 12 new locks. Some on the locks, such as Homerton Lock and Pickett's Lock, were built on new sections, while others, such as Stanstead Lock, replaced an existing flash-lock. The works were completed to a tight schedule, and with most of it finished, Yeoman resigned in July 1771, although the reasons for his resignation were not recorded.[11]

Development

Lee Navigation Improvement Act 1805
Act of Parliament
Citation45 Geo. 3. c. lxix
Lee Navigation Improvement Act 1850
Act of Parliament
Long titleAn Act to alter and amend the Acts relating to the Navigation of the River Lee in the Counties of Hertford, Essex, and Middlesex; and to enable the Trustees further to improve the Navigation and to dispose of the surplus Water; and for other Purposes.
Citation13 & 14 Vict. c. cix
Dates
Royal assent14 August 1850
Text of statute as originally enacted
River Lee Water Act 1855
Act of Parliament
Long titleAn Act for transferring Part of the Property and Powers of the Trustees of the River Lee; and for the Amendment of the Acts of the New River Company, the East London Waterworks Company, and the said Trustees; and for other Purposes.
Citation18 & 19 Vict. c. cxcvi
Dates
Royal assent14 August 1855
Text of statute as originally enacted
Lee Conservancy Act 1868
Act of Parliament
Citation31 & 32 Vict. c. cliv

There were further improvements throughout the 19th century, including the Lee Navigation Improvement Act 1850 (13 & 14 Vict. c. cix) to authorise new lock cuts at Hoddesdon, Carthagena Lock (Broxbourne), Waltham Marsh, Tottenham, Walthamstow, Hackney, Leyton and Bromley-by-Bow and new locks at Hunter's Gate (Bow Bridge) and Old Ford. The River Lee Water Act 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. cxcvi) authorised a new lock at Amwell Marsh and the removal of Stanstead Lock. Edmonton Lock was to be removed and Pickett's Lock rebuilt. In 1868 the Lee Conservancy Act 1868 (31 & 32 Vict. c. cliv) formed the Lee Conservancy Board to take over control of the river from the former trustees. They established the Lee Conservancy Police, who policed the Lee until merged with the British Transport Police in 1948.[12]

The Lee Navigation bought the Stort Navigation in 1911,[5] and instituted further improvements, including reconstruction of the locks between Enfield and Hertford, the width being increased from 13 to 16 feet (4.0 to 4.9 m): by the 1930s, 130-ton barges could reach Enfield, and 100-ton barges to Ware and Hertford.[5]

The navigation was nationalised in 1948, and control passed to the British Transport Commission. Where possible the locks from Bow Locks through to Ponder's End Lock were duplicated and mechanised - the only exception being Pickett's Lock. In 1962, the British Transport Commission was wound up, and control passed to the British Waterways Board. Commercial traffic effectively ended in the 1980s.

During the 1950s horse-drawn lighters were still journeying as far as Hertford. By 1980 commercial traffic extended no higher than the Enfield Rolling Mills at Brimsdown, with just one tug, the Vassal, regularly at work on the river. Powered by a 120 hp Gardner diesel engine, she would typically tow a train of two lighters loaded with timber from Bow to Hahn's Wharf at Edmonton. There are efforts currently underway to revive commercial traffic on the canal with a plan to transport rubbish for incineration at the Edmonton Incinerator.[13]

Governance

Lee Conservancy Act 1874
Act of Parliament
Citation37 & 38 Vict. c. xcvi
Lee Conservancy Act 1900
Act of Parliament
Citation63 & 64 Vict. c. cxvii
Dates
Royal assent30 July 1900
Text of statute as originally enacted
Lee Conservancy Act 1921
Act of Parliament
Citation11 & 12 Geo. 5. c. lxxviii
Dates
Royal assent17 August 1921
Lee Conservancy Catchment Board Act 1936
Act of Parliament
Citation26 Geo. 5 & 1 Edw. 8. c. lxviii
Dates
Royal assent14 July 1936
Text of statute as originally enacted

With the passing of the Land Drainage Act 1930 (20 & 21 Geo. 5. c. 44), the Lee Conservancy area was treated as a special case, with details laid out in section 80 of that act. The Lee Conservancy Catchment Board was created, which inherited some of the powers conferred by the Lee Conservancy Acts, dating from 1870 to 1921, and gave it additional powers in common with other catchment boards, the most important of which was that they could levy rates on county councils and county borough councils throughout their catchment area, to fund drainage works.[14] The members of the catchment board consisted of all the members of the Lee Conservancy Board, together with six additional members.[15] The board were given additional powers, enabling them to hold land without a licence in mortmain, as a result of the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board Act 1936 (26 Geo. 5 & 1 Edw. 8. c. lxviii). Further change occurred on 1 January 1948, as a result of the Transport Act 1947 (10 & 11 Geo. 6. c. 49). Some of the functions of the conservancy board were taken over by the British Transport Commission, when most of the operational canals and waterways were nationalised, and the board was then disbanded. However, where the board had responsibilities for water supply, fisheries, the control of pollution and land drainage, these functions were transferred to the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board. This was authorised by the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board (Additional Functions) Regulations 1947 (SR&O 1947/2797).[16]

The River Boards Act 1948 (11 & 12 Geo. 6. c. 32) saw the formation of river boards to replace catchment boards throughout England and Wales, but the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board, together with the Thames Conservancy Catchment Board, were excluded from this.[17] River boards were replaced by river authorities as a result of the Water Resources Act 1963 (c. 38), but again the Lee Conservancy was treated as a special case. It made provision that the responsibilities for water conservation outlined in that act could be given to the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board by the joint decision of the Minister of Housing and Local Government, the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the Minister of Transport. Those provisions, somewhat modified for the special circumstances of the catchment area, were conferred by the Lee Conservancy Catchment Board (New Functions of River Authorities) Order 1965 (SI 1965/701).[16]

The transport functions of the waterway were transferred to the British Waterways Board, subsequently known as British Waterways, from 1 January 1963, as part of the breakup of the British Transport Commission authorised by the Transport Act 1962. These functions are now managed by the Canal and River Trust, a charitable organisation that took over the role of British Waterways from 2 July 2012. There have been three further changes in the environmental management of the waterway. The Water Act 1973 (c. 37) abolished river authorities, and created ten regional water authorities. The Lee Conservancy was no longer a special case, and became part of the Thames Water Authority. This structure lasted until the passing of the Water Act 1989 (c. 15), which split the water authorities apart, privatising the water supply, sewerage and sewage disposal functions, and transferring the environmental management of river systems including the Lee to the National Rivers Authority. The final change was a result of the Environment Act 1995 (c. 25), which abolished the National Rivers Authority and replaced it by the Environment Agency.[15]

Recreation

Much of the Lee Navigation is within Lee Valley Park, a multi-county regional park and open space preserve. Local jurisdictions also maintain parks on the canals in Lee Valley Park.

The Lea Valley Walk, a 50-mile (80 km) long-distance public walking path and bicycle trail from the headwaters to the Thames confluence, follows the canal towpaths in the Lee Navigation section.

See also

Bibliography

References

  1. ^ Boyes & Russell 1977, p. 13.
  2. ^ a b Boyes & Russell 1977, p. 14
  3. ^ a b Priestley 1831, p. 379
  4. ^ Boyes & Russell 1977, p. 16.
  5. ^ a b c Nicholson 2006, p. 100
  6. ^ Boyes & Russell 1977, pp. 16–17.
  7. ^ Boyes & Russell 1977, p. 17.
  8. ^ Boyes & Russell 1977, pp. 18–20.
  9. ^ Boyes & Russell 1977, pp. 20–21
  10. ^ Boyes & Russell 1977, pp. 21–22.
  11. ^ Boyes & Russell 1977, pp. 22–23.
  12. ^ Major, Graham (29 July 2013). "Canal Policing after 1948". Website of the British Transport Police History Group. British Transport Police History Group. Retrieved 26 April 2014.
  13. ^ "Canal report". Times on line. Retrieved 7 January 2008.[dead link]
  14. ^ Wisdom 1966, pp. 2, 93.
  15. ^ a b "History of managing the Lea". Lea Bridge heritage. Archived from the original on 5 January 2020.
  16. ^ a b Wisdom 1966, p. 93.
  17. ^ Wisdom 1966, p. 2.

51°37′33″N 0°01′57″W / 51.6258°N 0.0325°W / 51.6258; -0.0325