1877

Immediately, over half of the Melton Navigation's business was taken away from them: and once the railway was fully complete, trade fell further. In the year up to 1 July 1845, 53,640 tons of goods had passed up the Wreake.  Six years later, the total was only 17,087 - barely a third of its previous level. Cost-cutting measures were frantically implemented, as the company skimped on repairs to save money, but the financial position remained perilous. At this late stage, the Melton Company finally decided to try and sell their waterway.  They approached the Loughborough Navigation and Midland Railway in 1862: both refused. The Midland's answer was still “No” in 1877, at which point the proprietors finally admitted defeat.  The act of abandonment was passed that same year, and the Wreake closed as of 1 August. (Legend has it that one boat was unaware of the navigation's fate, and was forever stranded in Melton Mowbray!)

1997 and beyond.

Since then, there has been some navigation on the Wreake - the odd cruiser has pottered up and down for half a mile (recently, much further! Click), and short narrow boat trips have been held in Melton itself. However, as the navigation is river-fed, and all bar one of the lock chambers are still extant, the probability is that by using Transport and Works Orders (as used on the Ashby Canal restoration), all could be restored within a suitable timeframe. The Oakham Canal, meanwhile, has somewhat merged with the landscape but many sections still retain water, although only the section near Ashwell would be suitable for craft. The task of resurrecting these waterways should not be underestimated but given time, money and determination, the restoration, particularly in the case of the Melton Navigation, is achievable.

History

(Continued)