Islington Tunnel
Encyclopedia
The Islington Tunnel carries the Regent's Canal Arm of the Grand Union Canal
for 976 yards (878 metres) underneath the Angel area of Islington
, London
. The two other tunnels on the Regent's Canal are Eyre's tunnel
and Maida Hill Tunnel
.
As there is no towpath
, barges originally had to be legged
through. In 1826 the tunnel was upgraded with a steam tug attached to a continuous chain on the canal bed which would heave barges through. This system remained for over one hundred years, until it was replaced in the 1930s with a diesel engine, which is today no longer in use.
Owing to the lack of a towpath it is not possible to walk through the tunnel. Those wishing to follow the course of the canal can do so above ground by following a trail of waymarkers which have been set into the pavement, connecting the two entrances of the tunnel. The trail runs (assuming one is travelling from the eastern entrance toward the west) up Duncan Street, then left down Upper Street to the crossing near Angel Underground Station
, across Upper Street and up Liverpool Road, turning left into Chapel Market. At the end of Chapel Market it turns right into Penton Street, and finally left into Maygood Street. At the end over Maygood Street it passes through a small residential area, before ultimately ending in Muriel Street, from where the towpath may be accessed.
Islington Tunnel opened in 1818 and was built by the engineer James Morgan
.
Grand Union Canal
The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. Its main line connects London and Birmingham, stretching for 137 miles with 166 locks...
for 976 yards (878 metres) underneath the Angel area of Islington
Islington
Islington is a neighbourhood in Greater London, England and forms the central district of the London Borough of Islington. It is a district of Inner London, spanning from Islington High Street to Highbury Fields, encompassing the area around the busy Upper Street...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. The two other tunnels on the Regent's Canal are Eyre's tunnel
Eyre's tunnel
Eyre's tunnel or Lisson Grove Tunnel is a short canal tunnel on the Regent's Canal that passes under Lisson Grove in London. It is only 48 metres long. The two other tunnels on the Regent's Canal are Islington Tunnel and Maida Hill Tunnel. Unlike the other tunnels, Eyre's Tunnel has a towpath.-...
and Maida Hill Tunnel
Maida Hill Tunnel
Maida Hill Tunnel is a canal tunnel on the Regent's Canal in London. The two other tunnels on the Regent's Canal are Islington Tunnel and Eyre's tunnel....
.
As there is no towpath
Towpath
A towpath is a road or trail on the bank of a river, canal, or other inland waterway. The purpose of a towpath is to allow a land vehicle, beasts of burden, or a team of human pullers to tow a boat, often a barge...
, barges originally had to be legged
Legging (canals)
Legging is a method of moving a boat through a canal tunnel or adit containing water.-Legging in canal tunnels:Early canal tunnels were built without a towpath as this would require a much larger bore, and hence cost more to build. Prior to the introduction of motorised boats, legging was one of...
through. In 1826 the tunnel was upgraded with a steam tug attached to a continuous chain on the canal bed which would heave barges through. This system remained for over one hundred years, until it was replaced in the 1930s with a diesel engine, which is today no longer in use.
Owing to the lack of a towpath it is not possible to walk through the tunnel. Those wishing to follow the course of the canal can do so above ground by following a trail of waymarkers which have been set into the pavement, connecting the two entrances of the tunnel. The trail runs (assuming one is travelling from the eastern entrance toward the west) up Duncan Street, then left down Upper Street to the crossing near Angel Underground Station
Angel tube station
Angel tube station is a London Underground station in The Angel, Islington. It is on the Bank branch of the Northern Line, between Old Street and King's Cross St. Pancras stations. It is in Travelcard Zone 1. The tube stop serves as a portal to several Off West End, or fringe theatre, venues,...
, across Upper Street and up Liverpool Road, turning left into Chapel Market. At the end of Chapel Market it turns right into Penton Street, and finally left into Maygood Street. At the end over Maygood Street it passes through a small residential area, before ultimately ending in Muriel Street, from where the towpath may be accessed.
Islington Tunnel opened in 1818 and was built by the engineer James Morgan
James Morgan (engineer)
James Morgan was a British architect and engineer, notably associated with the construction of the Regent's Canal in London....
.
See also
- Canals of the United KingdomCanals of the United KingdomThe canals of the United Kingdom are a major part of the network of inland waterways in the United Kingdom. They have a colourful history, from use for irrigation and transport, through becoming the focus of the Industrial Revolution, to today's role for recreational boating...
- History of the British canal systemHistory of the British canal systemThe British canal system of water transport played a vital role in the United Kingdom's Industrial Revolution at a time when roads were only just emerging from the medieval mud and long trains of pack horses were the only means of "mass" transit by road of raw materials and finished products The...