Catalogue description Bradford Canal Company

Incorporated under act of 29th April 1771 (11 Geo III, cap.89) as "Company of Proprietors of Bradford Navigation".

In the Bradford Canal Act 24th July 1871, it is recited that upon petition to Chancery, it was ordered by said Court, 21st March 1870, that company should be wound up under provisions of companies Acts 1862 & 1867. Certain doubts arose as to powers conferred by Acts governing company in relation to abandonment and further Chancery order was made on 6th August 1870 authorising Official Liquidator to apply for further Act of Parliament giving him necessary powers. Further order, giving more powers, was made on same day. Further doubts arose and yet another order was made on 6th December 1870 discharging first order made on 6th August 1870 and giving more powers. Still another order was made on 8th December 1870 and yet another on 3rd March 1871 and finally Bradford Canal Act of 24th July 1871 was passed authorising closing and sale of upper part of canal and also sale of lower portion of canal to certain persons ordered under schedule to act to register themselves under companies Act 1862 as Bradford Canal Company Ltd.

Under Bradford Canal Transfer Act 4th July 1878, property of Bradford Canal Co. Ltd., was to be sold to Leeds and Liverpool Canal Co., but under Section 23 of act., Undertakers of Aire and Calder Navigation were authorised to become joint proprietors with Leeds and Liverpool Canal Co., of Bradford Canal within three months of passing of act.

Leeds and Liverpool Canal Co., and Undertakers of Aire and Calder Navigation became joint owners of Bradford Canal and, in accordance with provisions of Section 27 of act, set up Joint Committee of six persons known as "Bradford Canal Joint Committee" in whom was vested entire management of Bradford Canal.

This Joint Committee first met on 3rd January 1879 and held its last meeting on 30th November 1923, all property and assets relating to Bradford Canal having been sold, and termination of joint working arrangement having taken place on 31st March 1923. Canal was abandoned under Bradford Canal (Abandonment) Act, 29th June 1922.