Baybridge Canal was completed in 1825 by Act of parliament and was
less 3.5 miles in length. Yet it consisted of a number of occupational
crossings (bridges etc) and two locks. The canal served a prosperous
area of farmland noted for its wheat and timber production. The act of
parliament to construct this canal was sponsored by Lord Selsey and Sir
Charles Burrell – owner of nearby Knepp Castle, both had interest in
other Sussex canal projects, most notably was the Portsmouth &
Arundel Canal.
The Canal derived its revenue from the transport of manure, coal
and marle (chalk) and the export of wheat and timber. It supply of
water principally came from Pike brook a tributary of the Adur and
roughly followed the brooks course. The terminal wharf was constructed
a third of a mile west of West Grinstead parish church near the
Worthing to Horsham turnpike road (now the A24). Limekilns and Coal
butts were built on the side of the wharf.
The first lock was at the
entrance to the wharf and was of brick/stone construction and still
existed in the 1950s.
West Grinstead Lock cira 1950
The canal followed the course of
Pike brook joining the river Adur just above the Bridge near
Butcher's Row at West Grinstead. The final couple of miles were
unremarkable, generally following the Adur river. The last lock
was at Locks Farm about half mile west of Partridge Green which
marked the start of the navigation. Decline
set in with the construction of the Shoreham to Horsham Railway
line, which include the construction of a station and goods
sidings at West Grinstead. The canal cease to operate around 1875,
however it is unclear whether it was closed by an act of Parliament.
