Catalogue description Avon Navigation Undertaking

Corporation of Bath obtained powers under act of 22nd May 1712 to make river navigable from Bath to Bristol, but assigned their interest (by deed dated 10th March 1724) to Duke of Beaufort and others who were styled Proprietors of Navigation. Shares were acquired from various proprietors by Kennet and Avon Canal Company; 17½ shares were authorised to be purchased under an act 38 Geo III, cap.18 (1797) and Kennet and Avon Canal Company acquired the remainder (with exception of share) though such purchase was not authorised by statute. Kennet and Avon Canal Company passed to Great Western Railway Company under that company's Act (No.1) of 1852, Great Western Railway Company being authorised under Section 22 to purchase outstanding Avon River share. Great Western Railway Company's ownership of Avon Navigation shares was regularised by section 15 of their act of 1870, which again gave authority to Great Western Railway Company to purchase any outstanding share.