History of the River Ivel

The River Ivel. © Robert Lacey - http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/

The River Ivel was made navigable early in the waterway age, in 1758. There were five locks, through which Ouse barges would carry farm produce, coal and wood.

The canal to Shefford followed much later, in 1823. This three-mile route had another five locks, and despite plans to continue its construction onto the Grand Junction Canal, remained as a cul-de-sac all its life. Both closed in 1876 as a result of the inevitable railway competition.

The remains of the Ivel Navigation are still easy to trace, particularly at Holme, just south of Sandy. Here, the lock chamber remains almost intact, with a modern flood defence structure replacing the old lock gates. The nearby factory is the home of Jordan's crunchy bars!