BASINGSTOKE CANAL PHOTO GUIDE

ASH (BLACKWATER) AQUEDUCT - EELMOOR BRIDGE

The Ash (or Blackwater aqueduct) was opened in June 1995. (Official opening in the July.) Although it is not quite apparent in this picture (below) the trough is unusual in being of a curved construction. Extra strength was added by means of cables situated within the trough, forming a series of suspesion cables that help to hold up the trough. All in all, the aqueduct is a very unusual one for the waterways system in the UK. The Blackwater river forms the boundary between Surrey and Hampshire in this part of the world, and so it is that the Basingstoke Canal passes from Surrey into Hampshire by means of the aqueduct.

The Ash embankment is still quite considerable depsite approx 200 yards being removed for the aqueduct. It rises above the roofs of new houses built alongside it. The embankment took five years to build, and in the 1790's alternative proposals for crossing the Blackwater valley were considered such as locks, but these were dispensed with.

Ash Lock - billed as the only lock in Hampshire - but are other locks in Hampshire - even on the Basingstoke Canal itself! The Itchen Navigation has locks remaining though derelict and without gates. The Andover Canal had locks though few remains are left. Hampshire surprisingly also had four canal tunnels, two of considerable length. Now only the Basingstoke ones remain, whilst its Ash lock is the only operational Hampshire lock (the Hampshire lock on the Basingstoke Canal is described in the North Warnborough to Greywell section.) Before Ash was restored there were no operational locks at all. The overbridge is known as Gasworks bridge.

Government Road (also Gasworks) Br & Ash Lock

Before and after: 2002 and 1977 views of Ash lock. I believe that Ash lock has also been mistakenly described as Aldershot lock, as it is within that town's boundaries. The lock was restored in 1979.

Below: The Basingstoke Canal Authority's workshops at Ash lock. Quite a number of the gates for the canal were built here. From this point westwards the Basingstoke canal is level to Greywell Tunnel (and formerly all the way to Basingstoke itself.) It was from Ash lock on 16th November 1913 that Alfred Harmsworth left with narrowboat 'Basingstoke' on the epic voyage that was to take nearly two months for the round trip as far as Basing. On that November day he left here at about 8am, and by about 3pm had arrived at Penny bridge (now the very western extremity of the canal). From that point it took four weeks to do just over three miles of canal!

Canal workshops at Ash lock

The canal above Ash lock is known as the Hampshire length, and it has been navigable in its entirety since 1984 all the way to the Whitewater (King Johns Castle) winding hole, and it is a pleasure to cruise or walk along. Because of the restrictions on the locks on the Surrey length, the Hampshire section sees the greater amount of boat traffic on the canal. The Hampshire pound used to total 22 and a quarter miles when the section to Basingstoke was open. Now it is just over 15 miles in length.

Queens Avenue Bridge (or alternatively Queens Parade or Iron bridge.) Built in 1881, replacing an earlier wooden bridge at this spot. Refurbished by the MOD in 1997, it is owned by them. Its quite an elegant bridge, following on from those in Woking. Queens Avenue bridge is on the outskirts of Aldershot. The canal does not quite the town, always remaining at a distance, but between Ash and this point some of Aldershot's houses and industry can be seen. Its not so inspiring a stretch compared to other parts of the canal although great for walking.

Farnham Road bridge comes in two's. There's the modern bridge (seen through the arch) and the original bridge, strengthened with timber. Its also known as Wharf bridge. There is an army museum nearby. Beyond Farnham Road bridge the canal enters Rushmoor and Watts Common, and it is a very rural stretch to Fleet. However, close by are army camps and of course Farnborough Airport. But most of the time there is peace and tranquility despite the proximity of the aforementioned. The military pops up now and again, evident by its bridges and other paraphernalia

Below: Colourful vegetation is found along this stretch, making it a very attractive walk.

Below left: Claycart Bridge (or Bailey bridge) built about 1916. It replaced an earlier lifting bridge that also belonged to the military

More attractive stretches and military boundary stones. These are found all the way to Norris Hill. Most of the military related infrastructure on the Basingstoke is old (either WW1 or WW2) and are therefore relics.

Eelmoor Bridge was built in about 1916, on the site of an earlier Eelmoor bridge, whose remains still exist. Farnborough airport is very close and Eelmoor bridge was built to access the airfiled that existed during WW1. It is still used as an access road to the airport and people often get to know the bridge and canal during one of the annual Farnborouh air shows.

Remains of the old Eelmoor Bridge under the newer, military, bascule structure

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