History KS2 How has use of the Kennet and Avon Canal changed since 1810? WHEN - Timeline of events Built as a commercial transport route between 1794 and 1810, the Fast Facts! 1759 - Canals built to serve the heavy industry of Kennet & Avon Canal transformed Bath, providing safe and efficient Length: 87 miles 1800 the north and midlands. travel between London and Bath, and via the River Avon, to Bristol. Locks: 104 John Rennie was appointed to survey a route 1788 between Newbury and Bath. John Rennie (1761 – 1821) Coming from a wealthy family, 1810 The Kennet and Avon Canal was completed. Rennie had a good education. He Key Vocabulary started his engineering career A steam engine was installed at Crofton to building mills. After gaining an artificial waterway 1812 constructed to allow the pump water from Wilton Water recognition, he was employed to canal do surveying work for canals. His passage of boats or 1815 Most canals were completed by this time biggest waterways project was the ships inland Kennet & Avon Canal, which he a short section of a canal 1841 The Great Western Railway opened surveyed and then became its chief engineer. with gates and sluices at The Kennet and Avon Canal was sold to the lock each end used for 1852 Great Western Railway raising and lowering boats The canal eventually fell into disrepair and 1960s Unskilled labourers parts of it were closed to boats employed navvy In the excavation and 1990 The Queen officially reopened the canal construction of a canal Boat designed for narrowboat narrow canals The Canal Today The Kennet and Avon Canal has been developed as a popular Navvies built canals. Some were local men heritage tourism destination for and others were workers who travelled to boating, canoeing, fishing, walking different areas. Men made up most of the and cycling, and is also important workforce but sometimes women and for wildlife conservation. children could be involved in building tasks, .