IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Shaggy Calf Lane, SLOUGH, SL2 5HL

This art work is located 100 metres from the end of the Grand Union Canal's Slough Arm, close to Stoke Road in Slough. I hope it all went well with Monika and friend.

Seen from its conclusion, so a reverse view of Image and Image There is a strong view that this feature represents a so far unrealised opportunity for Slough; canal basins form major foci in several towns and cities. The canal quickly crosses a gridline; the pylon is in Image

A little before the extreme end is a winding hole. The boat had no prominently displayed name.

This is the end of the five-mile canal cul-de-sac known as the Slough Arm of the Grand Union Canal. It was one of the last canals to be built and opened in 1882 to serve the brickmaking industry. The Arm ends rather abruptly at Stoke Road, as continuing to the originally planned terminus would have meant digging up lands owned by the Duke of Leeds and Eton College. The last commercial traffic was carried in 1960, but plans to fill it in were opposed locally. The stretch was reopened in 1975 and has remained in use since, although there is little traffic.

The simple end of the canal, with a winding hole a little way behind the camera. There was never anything more elaborate than this, although the premises to either side were formerly the wharf area with a few buildings.

Looking at how some other towns have turned their canal waterfronts into attractive venue areas, Slough seems to be lagging a bit. The towpath has been upgraded into a good quality waterside way, and these visitor boards put up, but as long as the surrounding land remains in privately owned commercial use it's hard to see what else can be done. Look at this from 20+ years ago. Image. Not much difference. The water is clean, the canal is navigable right up to the end, and hard line canal enthusiasts do come up here, but it's hardly a big lure for holiday cruising. While I was here a British Waterways workboat came up hooking out the worst of the garbage, but judging by the number of beer and cider cans in the water some of the canal's biggest fans are drinkers who find it marginally more appealing than the surrounding streets.

Western end of the Slough Arm, Grand Union Canal.