Oakham Canal

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The Oakham Canal ran from Oakham, Rutland to Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England.

It opened in 1802 after costing almost £70,000 to build.

The route passed through 18 locks in its 15 mile route but no aqueducts or tunnels were required, with just one large embankment near Edmondthorpe.

The canal connected Oakham to the Melton Mowbray Navigation, the River Soar and the national waterways system.

The main cargo carried was coal and agricultural produce.

The navigation lacked a proper water supply which meant it was often impassable in the dry summer months.

Competition from the railways resulted in the canal being sold in 1845 to the Midland Railway, builders of the Syston-Peterborough line and it closed soon after.