Market Weighton Canal

“The Market Weighton Canal is a two-fold benefit to the country through which it passes, affording an easy mode of conveying agricultural and other produce, more especially that beautiful fine white durable brick, usually called Walling Fen Brick; and at the same time draining the low lands and fens which abound in its vicinity.  Its length is rather more than eleven miles, commencing at a point called New River Head, near Market Weighton, and pursuing an almost straight line from north to south, and passing through the parishes of Blacktoft, Everingham, Seaton, Ross, Holme-upon-Spalding Moor, Frogathorp, Hootham, and other places of minor importance, to the extensive fen, which is called Walling Fen, and contains twenty thousand acres of land; it then terminates by locking down into the Humber, at Fossdike Clough, opposite the mouth of the Trent. The whole line, as may be concluded from the nature of the country it passesm is low and flat; there is, however, a little elevation near Market Weighton, and a lock on the Warren at Wolsea, besides the sea at the opening into the Humber.

The Act for executing this useful work is entitled, ‘An Act for draining and preserving certain Commons, Low Grounds, and Carrs, in the parish of Market Weighton, and other adjacent parishes in the East Riding of the County of York; and for making a navigable Cut or Canal, from Market Weighton to the River Humber.’  By this act certain persons are appointed as trustees or commissioners for executing the work and other purposes connected therewith, to have the direction and management of the drainage and navigation, and from time to time to tax or assess the owners and occupiers of the low lands, according to the number of acres they occupy, for the benefit they receive from the said drainage, such acre-tax not to exceed forty shillings per acre; the proceeds to be employed in maintaining and completing the same.  They are also empowered to inclose part of the commons or waste lands, for defraying the tax.  They also have the power to take away, if necessary, certain drains or sewers, and, if requisite, other may be substituted and maintained out of their funds.  The locks to be erected, are not at any time to pen up the water higher than within 3 feet of the surface of the land.  The commissioners are empowered to demand for the navigation of the main drain or canal, the following.