Building Britain's Canals

Channel 5 +1

5:05 AM to 5:50 AM

Tuesday 14 January

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Writer and historian Dan Jones examines the creation of the picturesque Kennet and Avon Canal, which was born from a murky pool of dirty deals and demanding landowners. It came into being thanks to the genius of young engineer John Rennie, whose inspiration and innovations created a waterway that linked Bristol to London. Dan discovers how Rennie plotted the canal's route using the most basic of surveying instruments and marvels at the engineering innovations that made it all possible, such as the water-powered pumping station at Claverton