Timeline
1809 The Lydney and Lydbrook Railway Act enables construction of a tramroad from Lydbrook to Lydney.
1810 A second Act changes the company name to the "The Severn & Wye Railway and Canal Company" and (amongst other things) authorises the building of the canal to the River Severn at Nass Point.
1810 Josias Jessop (son of William Jessop) was appointed consulting engineer and designed plans for the canal.
1811 Thomas Sheasby (son of Thomas Sheasby senior) was taken on as resident engineer.
1813 The canal was opened by the Severn and Wye Railway and Canal Company.
1821 The outer harbour finally completed and the tramway extended all the way down.
1825 The north pier was extended to aid ships into the harbour.
1868 The tramway was converted to broad gauge.
1872 Converted to standard gauge.
1893 Severn and Wye Railway and Canal Company went bankrupt.
1894 Purchased by the Great Western and Midland Railways and administered by a Joint Committee of the two companies.
1948 The railway and docks passed to the Western Region of the Railway Executive on nationalization.
1950 Transferred to the Docks and Inland Waterways Executive.
1960 The last coal was shipped from the harbour.
1977 The harbour is closed.
1985 The section from the swing bridge to the Severn is scheduled as an Ancient Monument
1988 The swing bridge is scheduled as a Grade II listed building.
1996 The Environment Agency takes over management of the docks.
1997 Inner gates collapse and have to be replaced by a dam to reduce flood risk.
1998 The Lydney Docks Partnership was established to create a sustainable future for the canal.
2005 Re-opened after a two year project of restoration and enhancement.
Read more about this topic: Lydney Canal