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Last Updated: Friday, 28 November, 2003, 10:02 GMT
Stretch of Roman canal for sale
canal
The canal is leased by British Waterways
An 11-mile stretch of canal in Lincolnshire is for sale by auction.

The section of the Fossdyke runs from Lincoln to Torksey and was dug by the Romans to provide a link between the Wash and the Humber.

Estate agents Allsop say the canal is one of the oldest in the UK and will probably sell for £125,000.

The canal links the River Trent to the River Witham and was built in 120 AD by the Romans.

Water and mud

Estate agent Duncan Moir says the canal is ultimately owned by Lincoln City Council, but the rights to run and operate the canal will sold to the highest bidder.

The lease on the canal is held by the British Waterways and runs for 740 years.

The British Waterways board pays £9,500 a year for the lease.

"It is an unusal thing to own - you can walk down the entire 11 miles of it and say: 'This is all mine'."

Mr Moir says he is not tempted by the property as he prefers bricks and mortar over water and mudbanks.


SEE ALSO:
£35m canal plans go public
01 Sep 03  |  Wales
UK canal freight rolls again
16 Jul 03  |  Business
£4.5m grant for disused canal
02 Apr 03  |  England


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