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This new edition of the first of Paul Vine’s triology of 'London’s
Lost Route' series brings the reader right up to date.
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First published in 1965 by David & Charles, this fifth edition
updates the chapter on the Wey & Arun Canal Trust from Its formation
as a society in 1970. Whereas the previous chapter was headed 'Future
Indefinite’, the author observes that, with restoration now in progress,
and the canal already navigable at Loxwood with a trip boat service,
the prospect of re-opening the 18 1/2 mile long canal, linking the
Wey and Arun navigations, looks much more promising.
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Although this latest edition is published in softback, no economies
have been made on the contents covering 322 pages with 151 maps
and illustrations. The fruits of Paul Vine’s interest in tranport
history and particularly waterways, the depth of his research which
started as a child over 50 years ago and his engaging and lucid
style of writing makes the reprint of this definitive history of
the Wey & Arun Canal so welcome.
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The development of the Arun navigation as early as 1545 and the
Wey a hundred years later, made a canal link between the two an
attractive commercial concept. Sponsored by the 3rd Earl of Egremont
and opened in 1816, the canal’s trade fell below expectations. The
Portsmouth and Arun Canal, opened in 1823, did increase trade but
the need for transhipment and cargoes restricted to 30 tons meant
it was easier and more economical to use Channel coasters to London.
Like the Basingstoke, trade relied on local developments and the
Wey & Arun enjoyed a period of prosperity in the 1830s but, as with
the Basingstoke, it suffered water shortages on the summit pound
and competition from better roads and then railways so that it finally
closed in 1871.
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The author devotes an interesting chapter on pleasure boating,
such as a trip made by a young lady who was reprimanded for allowing
her young man to row her through Hardham Tunnel unchaperoned and
without a torch! Better known was the trip made by J.B. Dashwood
and his wife aboard a Una boat in the summer of 1867.
Paul Vine’s interest in his subject and detective work bring the
history of London’s Lost Route to the Sea alive in a way that will
appeal to a much wider readership than canal enthusiasts alone.
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