Location

The Yarkhill section of the canal being restored by the Trust runs from a point 314 metres west of the A4103, westwards for around 900 metres to the site of the former Barr’s Lock and Cottage. The cottage was demolished many years ago, and no traces now remain. Similarly, no signs of the lock can be seen, although preliminary excavations to try to locate any remains have been started.

 

History
This was the next section
considered for restoration following
the work nearby to the east at Monkhide.
The owner, Mrs Oram, was approached by
the Trust, and agreed to a ‘landowner agreement’,
giving the Canal Trust a legal right of access to the
section of Canal concerned.

Unlike the Monkhide section, this length was
dry most of the time and had probably been
so since the canal closed in 1881. However, in
several places it had been filled in, and the
entire section was virtually impenetrable jungle.

Plans for the site
Immediately after the agreement was signed in 1994 the Trust started work, with the intention to clear and fully restore the canal as far as Barr’s Lock at the west end of the site.