WILTS & BERKS CANAL TRUST

In giving evidence on Wednesday on behalf of the Institute of Clay Workers before the Royal Commission on Canals and Waterways, Mr H.G Montgomery, M.P referred to the canal system in Swindon. He said there were four canals in the district, namely the Kennet and Avon, Wilts and Berks, Thames and Severn and the Somerset Coal.

The Wilts and Berks at one time carried a good number of bricks, and the Somerset coal canal supllied the brickworks with coal, but the traffic on the former was for long very small and ceased some three years ago, and has been sold to a light railway. The Thames and Severn joins the Wilts and Berks at Latton and has had a considerable sum of money spent on it for renewals and repairs. Speaking generally, the hon. member said railway companies had strangled the canals and therefore he was in favour of their re-nationalisation and administration by the State.

Mr Henry Herbert Smith J.P of Chippenham, Chairman of the Calne Parish Council, described conferences which had taken place between a committee of landowners, the Wiltshire County Council, and the Swindon corporation with reference to the canal which runs through the town. No satisfactory scheme has been arrived at. The landowners had always thought it would not be advisable to close the canal. Swindon wanted it closed and could understand the feelings, but did not think the canal was prejudicial to the health of the town. The Coate reservoir above Swindon was a fine reservoir, it held a large quantity of water in dry periods. However, the canal system of Wilts Berks and Somerset are in a very bad way.

They could be made to form a valuable means of communication through Swindon with Bristol and Gloucester on one side and with the Thames on the other, thus bringing the Swindon district into touch with the Somerset coal field. The GWR had allowed the Somerset canal connecting the Kennet and Avon to become derelict and given no facilities to the traders. Goods carried by canal from Bristol to Devizes would cost 4s 9d per ton against 7s 6d per ton by rail. This means a great deal to traders, to manufacturers and to agriculture.

Swindon Advertiser -  June 1907