The Fossdyke Navigation at Saxilby

Image: © Marathon Taken: 29 Sep 2018

The Romans built the Fossdyke in around 120 AD to connect the River Witham to the River Trent. This canal therefore has a longer history than most others. After the departure of the Roman army the works decayed until the channel was scoured out in 1121, in the reign of Henry I. During the next few centuries it silted up several times, becoming almost unusable until cleaned again. It was not until 1744 that a reliable channel was created and maintained. The canal was leased to the Great Northern Railway in 1846. Competition led to commercial decline, but agricultural produce was still being routinely carried by sailing keels and barges from the River Trent right up to the 1970s. The canal was leased to the Great Northern Railway in 1846, but competition led to commercial decline, although agricultural produce was still being routinely carried by sailing keels and barges from the River Trent right up until the 1970s. It is still used by leisure craft. Construction of a footpath and cycleway beside the canal from Lincoln to Saxilby has been carried out by the Lincolnshire Waterways Partnership, a joint initiative by Lincolnshire County Council, the Environment Agency and British Waterways. For much of its route it runs along the top of the northern floodbank, but drops down to a new crossing of the A57 road and a new bridge across the River Till near Saxilby. The route was officially opened on 26th July 2011. Extending the path to Torksey is a longer term aim. In this view from the south bank, the very busy A57 (Lincoln Road) is on the other side. A full history can be seen at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foss_Dyke A map and more information can be seen at https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network/fossdyke-navigation?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI7vOGjcby3QIVlQ4rCh1UfgDREAAYASAAEgKZ3vD_BwE

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