Bassplayer
Well-Known Member
I seem to remember reading somewhere that there was a canal between the Thames and the Medway. Anyone know where it was and are there any signs of where it used to be? Or did I dream that?!!
Missing Canal
- Thread starter Bassplayer
- Start date
kesh
Well-Known Member
last i heard it was disused. there was a restoration group. don't know how far they've got.
boatone
Well-Known Member
Andrew_Fanner
Well-Known Member
The start at the Thames end was in what is now Gravesend Marina. Part of the route was in a tunnel long since occupied by trains.
oldgit
Well-Known Member
The canal was designed to cut off the long journey for Thames barges round to the Thames via Sheerness,it never made any money and a rail line was laid partially inside the tunnel on a sort of stilt arrangement,before being completely taken up by the railway.
The dock on the Medway end was in use for many years until falling into dereliction.
The real nail in the coffin came when the dock was filled and housing put in,the original lock gates are still there rotting away and last time I looked a grand total of about 20 shopping trolleys were keeping them company.
There is a public footpath that goes across one set of the gates access is at the end of believe it or not......Canal Road.
Pix from
http://www.medwaylines.com/thamesandmedwaycanal.htm
The dock on the Medway end was in use for many years until falling into dereliction.
The real nail in the coffin came when the dock was filled and housing put in,the original lock gates are still there rotting away and last time I looked a grand total of about 20 shopping trolleys were keeping them company.
There is a public footpath that goes across one set of the gates access is at the end of believe it or not......Canal Road.
Pix from
http://www.medwaylines.com/thamesandmedwaycanal.htm
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Bassplayer
Well-Known Member
That's what I love about this forum! Always get a very good answer to a question. What a shame it was abandoned - would be damn usefull when we make our forays to the Thames! Thank you one and all!
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
But trains dont float
byron
RIP
If you look very carefully you can just about follow its route on Google Earth. I am told that Herman Goering bombed out some lengths, other parts were criss crossed with low level road bridges and general decay took care of the rest. The Thames end basin is now in use for boats but I have never used it, I believe the 'window' is only an hour or two.
Andrew_Fanner
Well-Known Member
An hour and a half either side of HW ISTR. Looked at going there a while back but its not very useful except as an end in itself given the moderate nuisance of timing. They complain about shortage of visitors but their window does not help them. Still want to visit some time though, just so I've done it.