Lea and Stort Navigation and Roydon lock (EHER 45225)

The River Lea (or Lee) runs from the Thames to Hertford. Unlike most canals, it is a canalised river, rather than an entirely new canal. Parts of the River Lea Navigation are thought to date back as far as the Viking period, with work on improving its navigability recorded in the 14th century. An Act of Parliament provided for further improvements in 1485. Canalisation began with the passage of the River Lea Act of 1766, and a further Act in 1850 resulted in new sections and locks. The canal was further improved in 1922 to allow larger vessels to use the navigation.

The Stort was canalised in 1769, when the Lea and Stort Navigation was completed, however much of the original river also survives in its original course to the north of the railway. The present Lock House is modern, a shield on the side of it, dated to 1787, was transferred from the previous Lock House and commemorates George Jackson (later Sir George Duckett) who was largely responsible for the building of the canal. <1> Information from NRHE: The River Lea (or Lee) runs from the Thames to Hertford. Unlike other canals in London it was not constructed in one primary phase of building, and also unlike the other canals it is a canalised river, not an entirely new canal. Navigation apparently first took place with the Vikings. Work on improving the river's navigability is recorded in the 14th century and in 1425 there was an Act of Parliament to provide for further improvements. The canal era was marked by the passage of the River Lea Act of 1766 which authorized extensive improvements and the construction of locks, new sections, and the Limehouse Cut. In 1850 a further act was passed leading to new sections and locks. A major improvement scheme got underway in 1922 to enlarge and rebuild locks to enable larger vessels to use the navigation. All or part of the River Lea Navigation was recorded by the Royal Commission of Historic Monuments in October 1965 as part of compiling the National Record of Industrial Monuments. <2>