The Main Drain
“The airs and waters of the Romney Marsh are both foul and fatal” declared Edward Hasted in the late Eighteenth Century. Indeed the Romney Marsh was described as one of the most unhealthy and sickly places in the whole of Kent.
The closure of New Romney’s port, and the Black Death ruined the area’s prosperity and the land was neglected. Stagnant water lay in the ditches, an evil stench hang in the air and disease was rife. Marsh Ague and Malaria harassed the Marsh people, keeping the population low and the death rate high.
In 1804, as Napoleon threatened to attack, Lt-Col Brown of the Royal Staff Corps had the idea of the Royal Military Canal. He envisioned a canal that would not only defend the country, but serve as a major drainage and irrigation system that would greatly improve conditions on the Romney Marsh.
A meeting took place in September 1804 between landowners of the Romney Marsh and the prime minister, William Pitt. He had to persuade them of the advantages of the scheme. Pitt was successful, being popular with the locals, who affectionately referred to the canal as “Mr. Pitt’s Ditch”.
The canal helps to maintain the water levels in the ditches of the Romney Marsh. These ditches support a wide range of watery wildlife such as water voles, great crested newts and medicinal leeches.
The Main Drain
“The airs and waters of the Romney Marsh are both foul and fatal” declared Edward Hasted in the late Eighteenth Century. Indeed the Romney Marsh was described as one of the most unhealthy and sickly places in the whole of Kent.
The closure of New Romney’s port, and the Black Death ruined the area’s prosperity and the land was neglected. Stagnant water lay in the ditches, an evil stench hang in the air and disease was rife. Marsh Ague and Malaria harassed the Marsh people, keeping the population low and the death rate high.
In 1804, as Napoleon threatened to attack, Lt-Col Brown of the Royal Staff Corps had the idea of the Royal Military Canal. He envisioned a canal that would not only defend the country, but serve as a major drainage and irrigation system that would greatly improve conditions on the Romney Marsh.
A meeting took place in September 1804 between landowners of the Romney Marsh and the prime minister, William Pitt. He had to persuade them of the advantages of the scheme. Pitt was successful, being popular with the locals, who affectionately referred to the canal as “Mr. Pitt’s Ditch”.
The canal helps to maintain the water levels in the ditches of the Romney Marsh. These ditches support a wide range of watery wildlife such as water voles, great crested newts and medicinal leeches.