Sat 3 Aug 1839
To George Bengough
Wotton under Edge
We will inspect the aqueduct near Lockham Bridge and repair if necessary. The problems you refer to may be caused by obstructions in River Frome above the aqueduct, and silt deposits by the slowing of flow of the stream below it
Canal Office Wallbridge
3 August 1839
Sir
Your Letter of the 17th July. addressed to Messrs Hawker & Fryer, Solicitors, has been handed to me (as the Clerk of the Company of Proprietors of the Stroudwater Navigation) for whom they supposed it was intended. I have laid it before the Committee of the Navigation; and am directed to inform you that they will cause the Aqueduct near Lockham bridge to be inspected, with reference to the subject of your Letter, and if it shall be found to be out of repair, they will proceed, as soon as practicable so to do, to perform their duty therein. In the mean time I am requested to suggest to you that the inequalities in the banks and obstructions in the Bed of the River Fromm above the Aqueduct, may, in part, cause the effect you mention; whilst the deposit of sand and silt in the immediate vicinity of the Aqueduct may be occasioned by the manner in which the water of the Stream is kept up below the Aqueduct, preventing thereby the rapid flow of the Stream and the carrying off the Silt & Mud as heretofore when the Mill at Whitminster existed and the Stream flowed through the same.
I am ...
Your Most Obt Sert
Geo Hawker
Clerk to the Proprietors
To George Bengough Edge
The Ridge
Near Wotton under edge
