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| Calne, From the Canal by William Westall |
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| Canal Close |
Canal Close is named for the Calne branch of the Wilts and Berks Canal that opened in 1802. The peak of the canal was 1840, however by 1849, competition from the Great Western Railway took most of the business. The canal struggled on, but was formally abandonded by Act of Parliament in 1914, although traffic had ceased by 1906.
While the canal didn't obtain its Act of Parliament to build until 1795, there were thoughts on a canal running through Calne back to at least 1788. A letter to Salisbury and Winchester Journal in August 1788 repeatedly mentioned how such a canal would be for the 'good of that public' and 'would be of the greatest advantage at all times', clearly someone thought the canal would be a good idea, but who? The letter is signed by 'Amicus', simply the Latin for 'friend'[1].
The Calne branch began at Stanley, heading through Hazeland and Studley before reaching the wharf at Calne, always close to the River Marden. The part of the canal below the top lock at Chaveywell Wharf was restored in 1989, is part of Castlefields park within the Calne Conservation Area, and since 2011 has been owned by Calne Town Council. This area is very well managed by the Castlefields Canal and River Park association.
References:
[1] 'To the Printer etc.' Salisbury and Winchester Journal, Monday 18 August 1788 [ONLINE] Available at https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000361/17880818/014/0004 [Accessed 24 September 2019]
