ENFIELD AQUEDUCT, FLASH LANE 1820 HEW 277 TQ323 994 N51o 40' 39.6" W0o 5' 16.6
This extraordinary object with foot paths on either side, is an iron aqueduct which once carried the New River in a water system supplying London which was built in Jacobean times. Since these photos were taken, English Heritage has restored it. The original New River project was built between 1609 and 1613 to bring water from springs at Chadwell and Amwell in Hertfordshire to reservoirs and eventually almost 39 miles to London. It was financed by its builder Hugh Myddleton and King James I. ‘Flash’ is the name for a lead-lined wooden trough to carry water. Originally, there was a flash aqueduct carrying water under Caffley Brook. This aqueduct was built in 1820. A two span brick arch carries the iron trough as well as its two footpaths. The cast iron came from the foundry of Hunter and English at Bow. The 18 foot wide trough is of four cast iron bolted sections sealed with lead and puddle clay resting on brick piers. The peculiar one inch thick 'fish-belly fins' act as stiffeners to the cast iron plates. When the New River was straightened in the late 19th century, this aqueduct was abandoned.
It is not easy to find. Flash Lane becomes a dirt road with a locked gate at the end. The aqueduct is an 8 minute walk inside that gate along the road right of way.