Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.

River Ouse (Sussex)

Description: This tidal river is now navigable for 9.5 miles from Newhaven Harbour to Lewes but was navigable for a further 22½ miles to Ryelands Bridge at Linfield through 18 locks.

History: The upper river navigation was promoted by Acts of 1790, 1791, 1800, 1806 and 1814. Navigation opened around 1812. Originally the river was navigable to Linfield and had 18 locks, traffic ceased in the 1860s..
For more details see the History page.

Navigation Authority: : Environment Agency Recreation and Navigation, Region: Southern Region, Guildbourne House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, West Sussex BN11 1LD: Telephone 01903 832000 : Fax 01903 821832 :

Related Books

• The Canals of South and South East England by Charles Hadfield, ISBN: 0 7153 4693 8, 393 pages, Published by David & Charles, in 1969, Order now from .

Related External Web Sites

• The Sussex Ouse Restoration Trust Promoting conservation, restoration of navigation above Lewes, protection of the river's banks and wildlife, and educational and leisure use.
• Sussex Waterways Information on the river navigation's and canals of Sussex. Part of the larger Sussex County Website.

River Ouse (Sussex): Table of distances			Miles	Locks	Navigable (N)	Grid ref	OS Map No
Hamsey Lock (remains of)	Head of navigation		0	0	N		0
Lewes Corporation Wharf			1.3	0	N		0
Lewes Bridge			1.5	0	N		0
Southerham Swing Bridge	British Rail		2.3	0	N		0
Southease Swing Bridge			5.3	0	N		0
Piddinghoe			6.9	0	N		0
Newhaven Swing Bridge			8.5	0	N		0
Newhaven Harbour Mouth	Entrance to the English Channel		9.5	0	N		0

NOTE: N and U in the Navigable column above indicates that the node is navigable or unnavigable. If a D appears here it means that navigation is difficult or restricted to smaller craft.

 

Text and photographs copyright of Jim Shead.