1794 saw the passing of the Act of Parliament authorising the building of the Ashby-de-la-Zouch Canal, and the canal opened throughout by 1804. Constructed mainly to carry coal from the pits in Moira and Measham area, it enjoyed only limited success. The railway mania of the 1830’s and 40’s did little for its fortunes and in 1846 the canal was sold to the Midland Railway for £110,000, a considerable loss against construction costs of £184,000.
Existing in close proximity to active coal mines meant the Ashby Canal was constantly affected by mining subsidence. A major breach at Moira in 1918 nearly closed the canal permanently, only the strategic importance of the coal supplies during the 1st World War allowed it to survive. The 1920’s and 30’s were beset with subsidence damage and claims against local collieries, and by 1944, the L.M.S. Railway who had taken over the Midland interests in the 1923 grouping won Parliamentary approval to close the canal from the terminus north of Moira to Donisthorpe. Further closures followed, the canal being navigable only to its current terminus north of Snarestone by 1966.
Deep mining in the area has ceased and subsidence largely finished, so it is now possible to consider restoring this predominately rural canal. A terminus at Measham will provide the canal with a definite goal. Restoring to the Moira Furnace will result in the Ashby Canal becoming the focus of a major leisure area, providing a mix of industrial heritage, rural recreation and nature conservation as well as a gateway to the National Forest. An imaginative proposal is to route the canal past the old Measham Station, which is similar to the one at Shackerstone. This pleasing building, with no likelihood of being reconnected with the railway network, will receive a new lease of life as a stopping point for canal boats and provide a permanent home for the Measham Museum with its local history displays and Measham Teapot collection. Since 1846, the future of the Ashby Canal has been linked with the Ashby and Nuneaton Joint Railway and it looks likely that this link will continue for many years to come.
FANCY A TRIP ON THE ASHBY?
TRY HEREMore detailed Information on the Web about the Ashby Canal from
Canals & Waterways: Roots & Routes, Pub and Beer Guide for the Midlands,
Ashby Canal Association and Moira Canal Festival.
Also
The Ashby Trip and Ashby Boat CompanyAlso see
"The local Guide to the Ashby Canal and its surroundings"
compilied by Douglas E. Maas. Published March 2000. ISBN 0 9530034 1 8
Profits go towards the restoration of the last eight miles of the canal.