Paddington Basin
The building of the Grand Junction Canal between Braunston and Brentford brought the canal network to the capital. The River Thames was the prime objective as it ran through the heart of London. However, it was soon through that a branch would perhaps serve the capital's higher ground better. A lock free branch of 13 and half miles was built from Bulls Bridge to Paddington Basin, and the terminus became a centre of important commerce for 160 years. The decline in commercial canal traffic led to a lengthy debate on the future of Paddington Basin. Some thought it should be filled in whilst others had the view that it was a valuable water space amenity for London. Many years in 'limbo' ensued and as the basin entered its 200th anniversary, it had gained a new, if somewhat rather un canal related future.
The increase in boating pleasure activity has ensured that at
least there is ample moorings in the basin area for visitors. This
is not a new feature actually, it is what Paddington Basin was
originally meant to be! A destination for pleasure going canal
craft. Commercial traffic somehow took a back seat in the original
plans. A review of the provisions of canal facilities provided by
the Grand Junction Canal Company saw that the world's first ever
marina was not going to be and that Paddington basin because a
focus of commercial canal operations as well as a terminus for the
famed Uxbridge packet express passenger services. What essentialy
happened is that the original objective for pleasure provision was
modified and the idea adapted to form the attractive pool that
constitutes the hub of Little Venice
The Paddington terminus opened in 1801 and its four acre basin was
added in 1805 the opening of the Regents Canal saw to it that
Paddington basin lost its importance. The coming of the railway to
the area meant a revival in the basins fortunes as it now formed an
important interchange facility between canal and railway. The first
station was at Bishops Bridge, on what now stands the Sheldon
Square (Paddington Central) development. Bishops Bridge remained in
service as a goods station until the 1980's. The main terminus,
Brunel's magnificent station, was not opened until 1854. In 1863,
the World's very first underground railway, the Metropolitan Line,
commenced at platforms adjacent to the basin on its four mile
journey to what was then known as Farringdon and Holborn station.
The canal company established its own waterworks company in 1811,
and built a series of reserviors around the Paddington area for
drinking water. It supplied water to a substantial part of London
and had its own pumping station at Kew (now the famous Kew Bridge
steam museum.) This soon ceased and between 1842 and 1851, the
reservoir sites were given over to Victorian development, forming
much of the development around Praed Street. The old St Mary's
hospital buildings are on the site of the Northern reservoir.
Norfolk Square was where the southern reservoir stood. The third,
and smallest reservoir, is now Talbot Square.
As well as being the location for the start of the first underground railway in the world, the canal also formed part of a passenger transport link between Uxbridge and the City by means of the Paddington Packet express boat service, then a short walk to the terminus of the country's first omnibus service. This was possible during 1830 when both transport modes overlapped each other, the Paddington Packet nearly at the end of its days, and the Omnibus service just beginning its. The horse drawn bus service was operated by George Shillibeer from the Yorkshire Stingo Inn, near the present Edgware Road station, to Bank. Although the inn has long gone, the road in which the horses and carriages were stabled still exists and is now known as Shillibeer Place.
The modern red building on Old Marylebone Road (first picture) is
where the Yorkshire Stingo was sited. Just behind this building is
Shillibeer Place, where the horses and omnibuses were stabled
Note: the Paddington basin area is restricted
in terms of photography. This is understandable because of security
reasons etc. However it is possible to get a permit if you have a
good reason for wanting to take non-commercial photographs of the
basin area. A permit can be applied for at the security office next
to the Helix bridge
The beginning of the basin's redevelpment began in 2000. By 2001
the tale tale signs were pretty obvious. Here's a series of
pictures from 2001 & 2002:
2001 - Looking through the Harrow Road bridge into the drained
basin area. The contractors had moved in
View of the Paddington Central development by the Westway. This is
the site of the old Bishops Bridge railway depot
By March 2002 the Sheldon Square (Paddington Central) development
was well underway
May 2002 - Landscaping had begun and lighting was in place. This
view shows the old Bishops Bridge, which turned out to be cloaking
the structure of a long forgotten Brunel bridge!
Back to 2001 and more views of the contractors infrastructure at
what is now known as 'The Point' where the glass bridge is
situated
A 2001 view just after most of the warehouses had been demolished.
The old St Mary's hospital footbridge is evident in this picture.
Compare with this picture below that I took in 1986:
Comparision of the two pictures (2001 and 1986) show that the basin
had been much reduced in width before the major development here
took place
This is a view in 2001 looking to the Edgware Road end of the
basin. Still very undeveloped as yet save for the narrows where the
corkscrew bridge will sit. This is now known as the Helix
bridge
The former taxi ramp and the Bishops Bridge footbridge/ticket
office are evident in ths picture looking from a point above the
Hammersmith & City platforms to the Sheldon Square
development.The building on the left now accomodates BW London's
offices. Anyone remember the quaint, but delightful walkway across
the rooftops of Platforms 9-14? And the sound of Maybach engines as
the majestic Class 52's waited to begin their journeys
westwards?
Paddington Basin - Part two