ONCE again a correspondent to your letters pages has put forward the suggestion that Worcester Street Car Park be restored as part of the canal, although such an idea does seem likely to be beset by many problems.

The canal network was a by-product of the industrial revolution, which needed an efficient means of moving large quantities of goods and materials across country.

It was clear from experience at the mines that a horse towing a narrow boat was a great deal more efficiently than the same horse towing a cart along poor roads – the rush was on to build.

The Oxford Canal was one of the earliest, intended to join the Midlands to London via a connection with the River Thames.

By taking the canal south in parallel with the River Cherwell, James Brindly was able to keep engineering costs low.

He must also have felt fortunate that, on reaching Oxford, he was able to utilise the northern part of the castle ditch as his Oxford terminus and, at the same time, be alongside the 'new road', which had recently been built across the castle bailey to connect what is now Queen Street with the Botley Causeway.

Originally, Worcester Street went from the northeast corner of today's car park to the public house in the southwest corner, next to Pacey's Bridge.

The route taken by the canal then made it necessary to add the Humpback Bridge to the road to span the coal wharf approach. 

Because the route taken by the Oxford Canal was inordinately long, then the opening of the Grand Union Canal followed by the arrival of the railways, it became less and less viable and fell into disrepair.

Lord Nuffield thought the western approach to the city an eyesore and bought the canal coal wharf as the site of his new college and, later, added the western wharf (now the car park), because it was considered more room would be needed.

So, what is the future for Worcester Street car park? Although it's about half a century since Nuffield bought the site, there seems little sign the college has plans for it, unlike a number of other Oxford colleges who appear to be searching out ways to expand – perhaps someone should ask them what the future holds.

I should imagine that the market value of the car park site would be far beyond the reach of anyone wanting to develop it into an extension of the canal.

Would it become a temporary marina? (A boat park as opposed to a car park), perhaps permanent moorings or a turning point surrounded by food and souvenir shops – Do any of these ideas have appeal? 

DERRICK HOLT
Fortnam Close
Headington
Oxford