Aqueduct

This modern aqueduct was built to take the Basingstoke Canal cross the new Blackwater Valley Relief road which links the M3 at Farnborough to the A31 at Farnham. It was completed just hours before the road opened in June 1995.  

Bizarrely, the original plan was for a series of locks, 3 down and 3 up, to pass the canal under the road. Fortunately after objections, including from the poor householders who would have ended up with cars passing level with their bedroom window, the plans were revised to create an underpass with the canal continuing at its current level over the top.

Today I took a peaceful walk from the local nature reserve to this serene view which goes straight across the dual carriage-way marking the boundary between Surrey and Hampshire. All was calm after a short, sharp shower despite the roar of the traffic passing below, most of which probably never even realise this is here.