The Paddington Arm of the Grand Union Canal

Image: © Marathon Taken: 8 Oct 2014

The Paddington Arm of the then Grand Junction Canal was opened in 1801 from Bull's Bridge near Southall to Paddington Basin. The canals were initially a success, particularly for transporting coal, building materials and other bulky loads, but the rise of the railways not long after the canals were built substantially reduced their importance. Now they are primarily a leisure facility. The Paddington Arm was one of the last to see the old-fashioned style of regular commercial traffic of paired narrow boats carrying the traditional materials such as coal, oils, and tar. The Paddington Arm now sees regular commercial traffic, usually in the form of aggregates. The towpath is followed by the Grand Union Canal Walk. This section is between Horsenden Lane North at Perivale and Manor Farm Road at Alperton. The open spaces of Horsenden Hill and Sudbury Golf Course are on the far side for much of the way to give a feel of countryside, but here the golf course has just given way to Alperton Cemetery on the far side.

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