Local Waterways

The Old Union Canals 

The local waterways have been known for many years as the Old Union Canals, they run from West Bridge in Leicester to the north, and to Norton Junction near Daventry in the south.  

The waterway from Leicester to Market Harborough was conceived as the Leicestershire & Northamptonshire Union Canal Company, and was intended to go to Northampton and the river Nene. It gained its Act of Parliament on 30 April 1793 and opened to Market Harborough on 13th October 1809.  It was decided not to continue to Northampton, instead a new company was formed to build a canal from Foxton to Norton Junction, the first Grand Union!

The Grand Union Canal runs from Foxton To Norton Junction where it joined the Grand Junction Canal. You can then get to the Nene via the GJCco and its Northampton arm.  It opened on the 9th of August 1814.  from then on the canal from Foxton to Market Harborough has been known as the Harborough arm.

The Union canals were purchased by the Grand Junction in 1894 ~ Norton to Foxton for £10,500 and Harborough To Leicester for £6,500.  Mr Fellows of Fellows Morton & Clayton acted as Agent for the GJCco.

Above, Company seals for the old union canals, Left ~ Leicestershire & Northamptonshire Union Canal and right Grand Union Canal.