Hampshire Waterways

Background

What is known today as the Chichester Canal is in fact the part of the former Portsmouth & Arundel Canal between Birdham and Chichester. It was built big enough to take ships carrying 100 tons with the two locks capable of taking vessels 86 feet long by 18½ feet width with a draught of 5¼ feet (26.2m x 5.6m x 1.6m).

The Ship Canal consisted of the main line of the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal from Chichester Harbour at Salterns Lock near Birdham to the junction at Hunston and then followed the Chichester Arm to the Southgate Basin in that city. It was opened on 9 April 1822.

Whilst the rest of the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal was not successful and had been effectively abandoned in the 1840s, the Chichester Ship Canal continued to be used. When the rest of the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal was legally abandoned in 1896, the Ship Canal was transferred to Chichester Corporation. However, decline had set in and the last cargo was carried to Chichester in 1906. The two road swing bridges, Crosbie and Cutfield, were replaced by culverts in 1926. The Corporation formally closed and abandoned the canal in June 1928.

The canal was requisitioned during World War II to be part of this country’s defences. However, this would probably have had little effect upon any invader - it all seems to have been rather like an episode of “Dad’s Army”.

The canal was sold to West Sussex County Council in 1957 for road improvements but these did not come to fruition. In the late 1970s the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal Society was formed with the aim of restoring the whole canal. They intended to concentrate on the length from Chichester to Salterns, and later changed their name to Chichester Canal Society (and more recently to Chichester Ship Canal Trust) to reflect this.

Taking over the lease of the canal from the local angling club in 1984, the Society began by dredging Chichester Basin. Then, assisted by Waterway Recovery Group volunteers, they began to work back down the branch towards the main line, using a floating dredger with Bantam tugs and hopper barges to shift the silt. By the late 1990s they had reached the junction at Hunston and were working westwards along the main line towards Chichester Harbour. Navigation became possible to near Crosbie Bridge. The stretch from there to Salterns Lock at the Harbour awaits restoration.

There are plans for reopening the canal westwards but these are currently in abeyance. They would involve a new swing bridge to replace the culvert carrying the B2201 and a new lock east of Cutfield Bridge, replacing Casher Lock, so the canal can pass under a new fixed bridge carrying the A286.

Management of the activities and maintenance of the canal is the responsibility of Chichester Ship Canal Trust, which leases the canal from West Sussex County Council. The Canal Trust is a registered charity with around 800 members. A major aim of the Trust is to preserve, maintain and improve the navigation between Chichester and the harbour – a historical monument to the transport revolution in Britain in the 19th century. A further objective of the Trust is to provide amenities and attractions for locals and visitors to enjoy.

The Trust is entirely manned by volunteers who crew the boats, run the shop, bailiff the angling and carry out maintenance and restoration work. To find out further information about the Ship Canal, visit the Trust’s website or their Facebook page.

Southgate Basin

After cargo carrying on the canal ceased, the surroundings of the basin remained largely industrial until after the Second World War. During the 1950s and ’60s, a number of changes occurred including the closure in 1950 of a large timber yard, the coal merchants moved out and the gas works ceased production in 1958. Various rebuildings, good and bad, have taken place since.

Today, the basin has become a popular place in no small part due to the efforts of the Canal Trust. It is possible to get afloat on one of the trip boats or hire a rowing boat. If you have paddleboard, canoe, kayak or other small unpowered craft you can get a licence to use it on the canal. The Trust also run a café and Heritage Centre. Canal fishing permits are available from the Canal Café. Further details from the Trust’s website.

Southgate Basin (1)

The basin at Chichester, looking north-west from near the eastern corner.

Image date: 21 Mar 2011.
NG Ref: SU859041.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 48″ N, 0° 46′ 49″ W.
(59.6KB)

Southgate Basin (2)

Looking to the north corner of the basin from the south-western side.

Image date: 21 Mar 2011.
NG Ref: SU859041.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 48″ N, 0° 46′ 54″ W.
(47.6KB)

Southgate Basin (3)

This view looks from the west corner of the basin towards the south-eastern end in the early 1950s.

Image date: Early 1950s.
NG Ref: SU858041.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 49″ N, 0° 46′ 56″ W.
(70.2KB)

Gas holders

Flanking the cathedral spire, the two gas holders just north of the basin shortly before they were demolished.

Image date: 1962.
Approx NG Ref: SU859041.
Approx WGS84: 50° 49′ 48″ N, 0° 46′ 53″ W.
(69.8KB)

Elephants

Circus elephants bathing in Southgate Basin.

Image date: 1903.
NG Ref: SU859040.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 47″ N, 0° 46′ 50″ W.
(52.2KB)

Trip boats awaiting passengers

Two trip boats, Kingfisher and Richmond, are used by the Canal Trust to show the canal to their passengers.

Image date: Unknown.
NG Ref: SU858041.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 49″ N, 0° 46′ 57″ W.
(72.4KB)

Refreshments

At the west end of the basin the Canal Trust run a café and a Heritage Centre. On the right is the Richmond Arms public house.

Image date: Unknown.
Approx NG Ref: SU859040.
Approx WGS84: 50° 49′ 48″ N, 0° 46′ 50″ W.
(49.6KB)

Chichester to Hunston

Leaving Southgate Basin, the canal heads in a southerly direction. After about 200 yards (180m), the site of Padwick Bridge is reached. It is a little confusing that this location is sometimes referred to by two different names. When the canal opened the swing bridge was named after William Padwick who was a lawyer and an investor in the canal who was also prominent in the building of Hayling Bridge. Eventually, the deck of the bridge became unusable and was scrapped.

In 1982, parts of the cast iron deck of Poyntz Bridge at Hunston broke as a result of excessive loading and was unusable. The County Council built a fixed high level bridge as a replacement. Rather than scrap the cast iron deck of the last existing swing bridge on the canal, Sussex Industrial Archaeology Society were given the opportunity to restore it. This was achieved after much effort and the Poyntz Bridge deck was installed on the substructure of Padwick Bridge. It was ceremonially opened in August 1997.

Further south, the canal is crossed in a shallow cutting by the bridge carrying the Chichester Bypass which was built in 1939. Considering that the canal was officially closed then, we are lucky the decision was taken not to build an embankment across the waterway.

From the bypass bridge to Hunston Junction is one mile (1.6km). In this distance, the canal goes through a shallow, wooded cutting before reaching more open country. It is from Poyntz Bridge or very nearby that J M W Turner painted his picture ‘Chichester Canal’ in about 1828. Turner was a frequent visitor to Petworth House, the home of Lord Egremont who was the major shareholder of the canal.

The Chichester Arm of the Portsmouth & Arundel Canal joins the main line at Hunston Junction. The junction today looks like just a right angle bend in the canal but, before the 1850s, it was possible for boats to turn east as well.

To continue along the canal walkers should cross Poyntz Bridge and at the road turn right. Walk past Canal Cottage to the end of the hedge. There you are at the site of the bridge that carried the road over the “Barge Canal” to Ford. The barns across the road are built over that section of canal. South of Canal Cottage is an area that became a small wharf after the “Barge Canal” was no longer used by boats. Currently, it has a small building used by Hunston Canoe Club and behind that is a wooden area known as Hunston Jetty. The wharf area is open to the public. The towing path is now ahead of you.

Dragon boat racing

Dragon boat racing on the approach to Chichester Basin.

Image date: Since 2012.
NG Ref: SU859040.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 47″ N, 0° 46′ 51″ W.
(88.3KB)

The approach to the basin

This view from Padwick Bridge shows the approach to Southgate Basin.

Image date: Since 2012.
NG Ref: SU859039.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 42″ N, 0° 46′ 51″ W.
(42.3KB)

Poyntz Swing Bridge

This bridge was badly damaged and, after repair, was installed here: the site of the former Padwick Bridge.

Image date: 4 May 2015.
NG Ref: SU859038.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 41″ N, 0° 46′ 51″ W.
(99.9KB)

Swinging the swing bridge

Opening the deck of the Poyntz Swing Bridge which is now installed at the site of Padwick Bridge.

Image date: Since 2012.
Approx NG Ref: SU859038.
Approx WGS84: 0° 49′ 40″ N, 0° 46′ 52″ W.
(81.8KB)

Chichester Bypass Bridge

Seen from the north side, the bridge carrying the Chichester Bypass over the canal was built just before the Second World War.

Image date: 4 May 2015.
NG Ref: SU859038.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 38″ N, 0° 46′ 52″ W.
(103.8KB)

Watching the birds

South of the bypass the canal continues peacefully through a slight tree-lined cutting.

Image date: 22 Jan 2012.
NG Ref: SU860030.
WGS84: 50° 49′ 15″ N, 0° 46′ 45″ W.
(75.0KB)

South of Chichester

This view looks back towards Chichester and the cathedral from the towing path north of Hunston Junction.

Image date: 12 Apr 2015.
NG Ref: SU864024.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 54″ N, 0° 46′ 30″ W.
(103.8KB)

South of Chichester

This is how the painter J M W Turner saw the scene just a few years after the canal opened.

Image date: c1828.
Approx NG Ref: SU864022.
Approx WGS84: 50° 48′ 49″ N, 0° 46′ 30″ W.
(38.0KB)

Sailing on the canal

The sailing barge ‘Fanny’ under sail on the Chichester Canal at Hunston.

Image date: c1905.
Approx NG Ref: SU863024.
Approx WGS84: 50° 48′ 55″ N, 0° 46′ 31″ W.
(61.8KB)

Old site of Poyntz Swing Bridge

Originally this swing bridge spanned the canal just north of Hunston Junction. The cast iron deck was seriously damaged and removed for repair. Now mended, it is installed near Chichester Basin.

Image date: 1962.
NG Ref: SU864022.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 46″ N, 0° 46′ 27″ W.
(53.9KB)

Poyntz Bridge

Just north of the junction at Hunston is this permanent fixed bridge replacing the original swing bridge which is now situated near Chichester Basin.

Image date: 26 Jan 2013.
NG Ref: SU864022.
WGS84: 50° 48′6 46″ N, 0° 46′ 27″ W.
(53.9KB)

Hunston to Crosbie Bridge

At Hunston the canal turns south-westward taking an almost straight line to Crosbie Bridge.

After quarter of a mile (0.4km), the site of a railway bridge is encountered. The Hundred of Manhood & Selsey Tramway was a light railway that opened from Chichester to Selsey in 1897 and, as the canal was still in use, crossed the waterway by means of a lift bridge. The railway closed in 1936 and all that remains is a concrete abutment on the north side of the canal and a widening of the towing path on the south side.

The dredging of the canal during the first decade of the 21st century stopped a little short of Crosbie Bridge as the canal became more and more shallow. The Canal Trust’s trip boats have to turn round some yards east of the culvert to return to Southgate Basin.

The restoration plans, currently in abeyance, envisage a new two lane swing bridge for the B2201 road to replace the current culvert at Crosbie Bridge.

Hunston Junction

The trip boat approaches the junction to return to Southgate Basin. The canal to Ford used to go straight on.

Image date: 7 Sep 2012.
NG Ref: SU864021.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 46″ N, 0° 46′ 29″ W.
(89.8KB)

Rails across the canal

The loco ‘Sidlesham’ hauls a Selsey Tramway train across the lift bridge over the canal at Hunston.

Image date: c1920?
NG Ref: SU860020.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 43″ N, 0° 46′ 49″ W.
(60.9KB)

Raising the lift bridge

The Hundred of Manhood & Selsey Tramway’s lifting bridge in operation at Hunston.

Image date: c1900.
NG Ref: SU860020.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 43″ N, 0° 46′ 50″ W.
(52.2KB)

Remains of the rail bridge

Whilst the course of the tramway south towards Selsey is a public path, the bridge has gone and there is no path towards Chichester.

Image date: 22 Jan 2012.
NG Ref: SU860020.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 43″ N, 0° 46′ 49″ W.
(86.7KB)

East of Crosbie Bridge

Restoration of the canal from Chichester has come to a halt at this point. Trip boats can only come to a point some yards east of the bridge.

Image date: 8 Aug 2010.
NG Ref: SU854019.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 38″ N, 0° 47′ 20″ W.
(72.2KB)

The culverted Crosbie Bridge

This culverted swing bridge is the first obstacle to restoring the canal back to the tidal water at Birdham.

Image date: 12 Apr 2015.
NG Ref: SU853019.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 37″ N, 0° 47′ 22″ W.
(95.1KB)

Crosbie Bridge to Cutfield Bridge

Between Crosbie Bridge at Donnington and Cutfield Bridge, a distance of nearly a mile (1.4km), the canal continues in water in a south-westerly direction but it is not navigable. The waterway can be affected by prolific weed growth especially in summer.

About a third of a mile (0.5km) from Donnington lie the remains of Dudley Swing Bridge which was an occupation bridge built so the owner could access land severed by construction of the canal. It seems the deck of the bridge was removed during World War II.

Just a few yards east of Cutfield Bridge, there is an incomplete barrier across the canal. Its purpose is not obvious - was it part of some defence during World War II or just to stop weed or tree branches entering and blocking the culvert?

Restoration plans envisage a lock at this point to lower the canal to pass under a new slightly raised Cutfield Bridge for the A286 road. This would also entail lowering the canal about 6 feet (1.8m) between here and Casher Lock which would be removed.

West of Crosbie Bridge

The canal near the small but scattered village of Donnington and west of Crosbie Bridge is still in water but not navigable.

Image date: 4 Oct 2015.
NG Ref: SU853019.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 37″ N, 0° 47′ 22″ W.
(78.5KB)

Dudley Swing Bridge

This picture was taken whilst the canal was still in use to Chichester and all the swing bridges were like this.

Image date: c1905.
NG Ref: SU849017.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 33″ N, 0° 47′ 46″ W.
(70.2KB)

The remains of Dudley Bridge

This is the site of a swing bridge that gave the farmer access across the canal.

Image date: 12 Apr 2015.
NG Ref: SU849017.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 33″ N, 0° 47′ 46″ W.
(81.9KB)

Canal & New Lipchis Way

Seen here east of Cutfield Bridge, the towing path from Salterns Lock to Chichester is followed by the New Lipchis Way. This 38 mile (61km) long distance path joins West Wittering and Liphook.

Image date: 12 Apr 2015.
NG Ref: SU842012.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 19″ N, 0° 48′ 20″ W.
(71.7KB)

East of Cutfield Bridge

This barrier crosses the canal just east of Cutfield Bridge. Its purpose would seem to entail trapping debris that might block the culvert.

Image date: 30 Aug 2021.
NG Ref: SU842012.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 18″ N, 0° 48′ 23″ W.
(105.0KB)

The culverted Cutfield Bridge

The second culverted swing bridge, seen from the east, carries the A286.

Image date: 1 Sep 2019.
NG Ref: SU842012.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 18″ N, 0° 48′ 21″ W.
(88.5KB)

Cutfield Bridge to Salterns Lock

In 1932 the canal and its structures west of Cutfield Bridge were leased by Mr D S Vernon. In 1934 he assigned the lease to a company, Chichester Yacht Company, of which he was a director. The lease has passed down to the present holder Premier Marinas who run Chichester Marina.

The towing path which has been on the south side of the canal since Hunston swaps to the north side at Cutfield Bridge. The public pathway is wide and after 200 yards (180m) joins the access road to Chichester Marina. Strictly the towing path was next to the canal; the current path and road are a few yards to the north.

Casher Lock lies about 550 yards (500m) west of Cutfield Bridge. The lock chamber appears to be in reasonably good condition although the weir at the head of the lock would have to be replaced and gates fitted at the bottom. The Canal Trust did start work to restore the lock but this was abandoned in 2009 when water voles were found. This would not have to stop any future work but relocation of any voles would be necessary - this has been accomplished successfully in canal restorations in other parts of the country.

However, this canal’s restoration plans envisage a new lock above Cutfield Bridge to lower the canal to pass under a new slightly raised Cutfield Bridge for the A286 road. This would mean lowering the canal between the bridge and Casher Lock by about 6 feet (1.8m) and eliminating Casher Lock.

About 100 yards (90m) below the lock is the site of Casher Swing Bridge. There is no deck there, it seems to have been removed during the war, but there is still a constriction in the canal’s width.

Further west along the canal, in the region of 30 houseboats are moored. This has been a feature of this part of the canal since the 1930s although the type of vessels has altered somewhat.

The next feature of note, is Egremont Bridge. The present structure is a modern replacement and is only a footbridge, although the original bridge was designed like the others on the Ship Canal to take vehicular traffic.

West of Cutfield Bridge

The canal and path west of Cutfield Bridge.

Image date: 5 May 2008.
NG Ref: SU841012.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 18″ N, 0° 48′ 24″ W.
(59.6KB)

Casher Lock

This lock, seen from the western (downstream) side, was named after Edward Casher, a Portsmouth wine merchant who became mayor of Portsmouth in 1842-3.

Image date: 1890.
NG Ref: SU836010.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 10″ N, 0° 48′ 52″ W.
(74.1KB)

Chamber of Casher Lock

This disused lock, also known as Manhood End Lock, was undergoing restoration when this picture was taken but abandoned in 2009 when water voles were found.

Image date: 1 Aug 2006.
NG Ref: SU837010.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 12″ N, 0° 48′ 46″ W.
(73.5KB)

Remains of Casher Bridge

The deck of this swing bridge was removed during WW2 never to be replaced but the constriction in the canal width remains.

Image date: 5 May 2008.
NG Ref: SU836010.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 10″ N, 0° 48′ 53″ W.
(103.3KB)

Houseboats

This photograph shows some of the houseboats moored between Casher and Salterns Locks.

Image date: 12 Apr 2015.
NG Ref: SU830010.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 10″ N, 0° 49′ 23″ W.
(97.0KB)

Egremont Bridge

This swing bridge is named after Lord Egremont. This is a modern replacement on the site of the original bridge of the same name.

Image date: 26 Jul 2014.
NG Ref: SU829010.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 12″ N, 0° 49′ 30″ W.
(58.5KB)

More houseboats on the canal

Seen from Egremont Bridge, the clean water in the pound between Casher and Salterns Locks does little to discourage the growth of water plants.

Image date: 20 Jun 2010.
NG Ref: SU829010.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 11″ N, 0° 49′ 29″ W.
(88.8KB)

Salterns Lock

Salterns Lock is so named as this area was once used for the production of salt. The inlet, where the marina now is, once contained salt pans. These were depressions in the mud surrounded by a low mud wall which trapped sea water when the tide went out. The sun evaporated some of the water and then the resulting brine was boiled to extract the salt. Production ceased at about the time the canal was built.

After being derelict for some years, the lock was reopened for pleasure craft in 1932, only becoming unusable again in 2021.

The adjoining Chichester Marina was constructed in 1964 and has room for over 1,000 boats.

Salterns Lock in 1952

In the days before the marina was opened, it would seem that the types of boat on the bottom pound of the canal was much more varied.

Image date: 1952.
NG Ref: SU826011.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 14″ N, 0° 49′ 41″ W.
(56.7KB)

Salterns Lock in 1965

Apparently a well looked after structure with a good view out onto the Chichester Channel.

Image date: Jul 1965.
NG Ref: SU827011.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 14″ N, 0° 49′ 40″ W.
(42.6KB)

Head of Salterns Lock

This picture shows the top gates of the lock, complete with safety rails as a public path crosses them. It also shows the unusual wheel operated paddles used to fill the lock with water.

Image date: 1 Sep 2019.
NG Ref: SU827011.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 14″ N, 0° 49′ 39″ W.
(111.4KB)

Salterns Lock chamber

This lock was, in theory at least, still navigable when this picture was taken but said to have been non-operational since 2021. From this picture it appears to be suffering from neglect.

Image date: 1 Sep 2019.
NG Ref: SU826011.
WGS84: 50° 48′ 14″ N, 0° 49′ 40″ W.
(76.5KB)