Baybridge Canal

The River Adur is formed when the Western Adur and the Eastern Adur join near Henfield. The Western branch starts near Slinfold, and flows through Shipley and West Grinstead. The Eastern branch rises on Ditchling Common, and flows through Haywards Heath and Burgess Hill. Below the junction, the combined stream flows for 10.8 mi to reach the English Channel at the port of Shoreham-by-Sea. Under the River Adur Navigation and Drainage Act 1807 (47 Geo. 3 Sess. 2. c. cxvii), the river was improved, to aid both navigation and drainage, and barges could reach Bines Bridge on the Western Adur. Although called a canal, it was essentially a river navigation, as it followed the course of the river to…