We are grateful to British Waterways and to their Project Engineer Zanna Stanley for supplying the following articles and copies of engineers' drawings from 1800 which are printed in this newsletter.

British Waterways Press Release

CONSERVATION WORKS TAKE PLACE TO RESTORE DUNDAS AQUEDUCT

Important conservation work to restore the Georgian Grade 1 listed Dundas Aqueduct, on the Kennet & Avon Canal near Bath, begins in October 2002. Skilled stonemasons and engineers will start to restore the Scheduled Ancient Monument to its former glory, using high quality Bath stone.

Months of project development by civil engineers and environmental experts have already taken place, including important bat protection work to ensure that a colony of Daubenton's bats at the aqueduct isn't harmed when the repair works start.

Zanna Stanley, British Waterways Senior Project Engineer, commented, "The conservation works being carried out are essential to preserve the wonderful heritage of Dundas Aqueduct, as well as to keep the waterway open and safe for people to use. However, before the conservation works are actually started, British Waterways is taking great care to ensure that the bats living in the aqueduct have resettled. Waterways are nationally important for wildlife, providing habitats for many protected species, and we take our environmental responsibilities very seriously. "

Dundas Aqueduct was completed in 1800 and was the first canal structure to be scheduled as an ancient monument in 1951. Named after the then chairman of the historic Kennet & Avon Canal Company, Charles Dundas, the aqueduct is considered to be one of canal engineer John Rennie's finest structures, although it has suffered from the poor quality Bath stone used during its construction. In particular, the masonry has deteriorated due to age and frost damage. The refurbishment works, due to be completed over the next two years, include the replacement of all damaged masonry. British Waterways is currently looking for funding to complete the restoration of this historic structure.

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