The Driffield Navigation was authorised by an Act of Parliament passed in 1767. It has played an important part in the development of Driffield to become the important market town it is today.

In the days when a cart drawn by oxen or horses was the usual slow method of transport for goods and produce it is easy to understand why there was such a rush throughout the country to get the benefits brought by a canal. Driffield was an early starter in the race to improve transportation to and from the newly emerging, heavily populated industrial towns of the Midlands and West Riding.

When the Canal was first mooted nearby Kilham was the area's main market town but that changed rapidly with the completion of the first stages of the Canal. Some Driffield people decided that a way to boost the Town's fortunes would be to improve navigation to and from the town by cutting a canal and by deepening and widening parts of the River Hull.

Around 1765 various canal engineers were consulted, a scheme was accepted and the necessary Act of Parliament was passed in 1767. The Canal was successful - trade increased and further improvements were set in hand. The last of the early projects on the Navigation was an extension to Corps Landing in 1811. By 1817 a regular passenger-carrying steam packet operated between Driffield and Hull.

Steady prosperity was the result in the early 1800's but, in 1846 the railway came to Driffield and the Commissioners had to cut toll charges. In spite of this effort traffic fell away, the last keel to travel to Driffield was in the late 1940's. After this the Cana1 fell into disrepair and was blocked in places but use of stretches of the Navigation by pleasure craft has never stopped.

SPECIAL STATUS

Driffield Navigation is one of a small number of waterways which are independently managed, a situation which arises from the 1767 Act of Parliament in which it was decreed that The Navigation should be administered by Commissioners - landowners and local VIP's including the famous campaigner against slavery William Wilberforce (who was Member of Parliament for the nearby town of Hull).

These original Commissioners were charged by the 1767 Act of Parliament to meet '.... at the house of William Porter known by the sign of the 'Blue Bell' (now the Bell Hotel, and still used by the Commissioners for their meetings). General meetings were to be held annually on the first Tuesday in July with provision in the Act for intermediate meetings. To qualify as a Commissioner candidates had to have an income of £100 a year from property or be in possession of goods to the value of £3,000 - a large sum at that time.

RECENT IMPROVEMENTS

Over recent years we have carried out various improvements throughout the length of the Canal. The nearest lock to Driffield, Town Lock, was restored and the opening attracted a lot of interest. We are currently considering a number of projects including the restoration of the historic Snakeholme Lock which is a nationally recognised 'Listed Structure'.

THE FUTURE

Our overall aim is to restore navigation to the full length of the Canal which will involve an expenditure currently estimated at over £500,000. As with many volunteer organisations our efforts are limited by finance, and by the limited time which can be put in by a small band of committed enthusiasts. Any support you can give will be gratefully acknowledged by our Treasurer at the address (See Contact Page). We also welcome people who are prepared to give practical assistance with the many tasks needed to improve the waterway.

Published by the Driffield Navigation Trust, a Limited Company with charitable status Company Registration No 1468822. Charity No 503430

For more on the History of the DRIFFIELD NAVIGATION see:- Driffield Navigation from Canals: Roots & Routes Copyright © Peter Hardcastle 1997, In the History Page Index.