Page:Rivers, Canals, Railways of Great Britain.djvu/70

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railway commences from the River Avon, below the town of Keynsham, whence it takes a northerly course by Willsbridge, Haul Lane Coal Works and Warmley, to the Bristol and Gloucestershire Railway, at Rodway Hill, in the parish of Mangotsfield, where it terminates.

It is in length five miles, two furlongs and four chains, with a total rise, from the level of the Avon, below the tail of Keynsham Lock, (which is 2 feet above the Bristol Floating Harbour), of 198 feet, viz. from the Avon, an inclined plane three thousand three hundred and sixty-six yards in length, rising 124 feet; another three thousand three hundred and forty-four yards in length, with a rise of 19 feet only; while the remainder of the railway, which is two thousand six hundred and eighteen yards, has a rise of 55 feet. The estimate for this undertaking was made by Mr. John Blackwell, and amounts to the sum of £20,226, 11s. 2d. The act for making it is entitled, ‘An Act for making and maintaining a Railway or Tramroad from Rodway Hill, in the parish of Mangotsfield, in the county of Gloucester, to the River Avon, in the parish of Bitton, in the same county.’

The subscribers, at the time the act was obtained, were ten in number, together with the Proprietors of the Kennet and Avon Canal Navigation, who alone subscribed £10,000; and £12,000 were subscribed by the others. The act incorporates these parties by the name of “The Avon and Gloucestershire Railway Company,” with power to raise, amongst themselves, the sum of £21,000, in two hundred and ten shares, of £100 each, and, if necessary, a further sum of £10,000 on mortgage of the undertaking.

Owners of lands may make branches to communicate with this railway, and may erect wharfs, and demand the following rates.