History
These historical maps are the work of the late Dr. Mike Stevens
The hopes of the previous decade proved to be an illusion. Apart from the completion of the Manchester Ship canal and slow progress on the New Junction, the pattern in the 90s was one of continuing closures.
In 1897 the Grand Junction Canal bought out the (old) Grand Union and the Leics & Northnats Union to save them from dereliction.
In London, the Grosvenor Canal had already been shortened once for the building of Victoria railway station. Now, in 1899, the station was enlarged, and the rest of the canal filled in with the exception of the entrance lock which was retained as a dock.