Andover Canal

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The Andover Canal was a canal built in Hampshire, England.

It ran 22 miles (35 km) from Andover to Redbridge through Stockbridge and Romsey. The canal had a fall of 179 feet (55 m) through 24 locks, and for much of its length paralleled the River Anton and River Test.

The canal was completed in 1794 at a cost of £48,000; £35,000 from shares and £13000 from a loan.

The canal locks were built to take boats up to 65ft x 8ft 6in.
The main cargoes of the canal were coal, slates and manure when coming in from Southampton water and agricultural produce when going out, although boats were often unable to find cargoes for the journey back out to Southampton water.

The canal was never successful enough to pay a dividend until it closed in 1859, when income from the sale to Andover & Redbridge Railway produced one.

Much of the length of the canal was converted to a railway in 1865, and much of this railway has since also been abandoned.

As a result, most traces of the canal have completely disappeared, although the remains of a stretch of the canal can still be seen between Timsbury and Romsey.