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The Trust has conducted a series of Roadshow exhibitions which explained the benefits of A New Waterway for the 21st Century and found there is tremendous support in the region for this exciting proposal to build a brand new canal at a time when record investment is flowing into our waterway network and canals are more popular than ever before. The Roadshows presented a number of route options from which some clear preferences emerged during the course of public consultation.
On 28 February 2003 British Waterways, on behalf of the B&MK; Partnership, announced the route selected for the first new scheme to build a canal for over a century. The route that emerged as the clear favourite - with the public, politicians and developers alike - runs into both town centres and offers the greatest opportunities for bringing the full benefits of waterside living, working and recreation to this area of the south east where there are plans for population growth.
The route is shown on the map and described in more detail below. Thank you to Geoprojects for providing the updated map which you can print off from here 221Kb pdf file or click here for a 110 KB pdf file with a map with eight places where you can view the route today.
The route chosen is essentially route option 1A (MK centre to Bedford centre), modified to run close to the Forest Centre in Marston Moretaine*.
This is the route as at the end of October 2003.
![]() Wind surfer on Willen Lake, Milton Keynes, near the start of the route |
![]() The statue of John Bunyan in Bedford. |
NOTE: The route as shown by the dotted black line indicates the broad band through which the new Waterway could travel.
Alongside the route described below you will find the height above sea level (in metres) and the approximate distance from the Grand Union Canal (in Kilometres).
The new waterway leaves the Grand Union Canal at the South end of Newlands Park and after less than half a kilometre decends through a staicase of three locks at Gulliver's Land then crosses over a road. | 71.8 m | 1 km |
The next section has two aqueducts carring the canal first over the River Ouzel then over the A509 | 64.9 m | 2 km |
Another aqueduct takes us across Broughton Brook, by Kingston Bridge and under the A5130 | 64.9 m | 4 km |
Contiuing across open country we cross under the A421 near Wavendon Golf course | 64.9 m | 6 km |
At Lower End we a minor road crosses over the canal and a kilometre further on we cross Broughton Brook before entering the tunnel that carries us under both the A421 and the M1 motorway. | 64.9 m | 8 km |
Hulcote marks the entrance to Brogborough Tunnel (about 2 kilometres long) taking us under Brogborough Hill and the A421 road. | 64.9 m | 12 km |
The next section consists of the, roughly, 2 kilometres of waterway. This takes us down the Brogborough 2 lock staircase, across the Lidlington road by aqueduct and finally down a four lock staircase or perhaps a boat lift. The detailed engineering plans for the route are still to be finalised. | 49.7 m | 14 km |
Continuing north-east the canal crosses under the Marston Moretaine* to Lidlington road and passes south of Marston Moretaine* then between the A421 and the northside of Stewartby Lake before crossing under the A421 road. Four locks will be probably be needed on this length which extends to the Wootton Road Bridge. | 40 m | 20 km |
Over the next two kilometres three single locks take us down to Bell Farm. | 32.6 m | 22 km |
At Bell Farm another single lock lowers us and the final kilometre contains a lock, shortly before the crossing under the A5134, followed by the final lock out onto the Great Ouse at Kempston Church End. | 26.1 m | 23 km |
If you would like to know more about the original nine route options please click here.
To see/print a text only version of the route description click here.
* The older spelling of Marston Moreteyne is currently being revived.
© 2004 Bedford & Milton Keynes Waterway Trust
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