Lee Conservancy Board

RAIL 845

1739-1948

Minutes of the Lee Conservancy Board.

LEE.

Public Record(s)

English

168 volume(s)

Topics

Canals and river transport

Spelling of "LEE" has been subject of much controversy. Thus in Eilert Ekwall's English River Names, "LEE", first found written LYGEAN, how it developed into LEA is not known. Various forms go back to O.E. LYGE. M.E. LYGE may be derived from LUG - Light, it is also held to be the base of LUGU (in Gaul), O.Ir. LUG, Welsh LLIN, the name of a deity; the name may mean either "the bright river" or "river dedicated to LUGUS". As late as 1711, the spelling LEYE is used.

First enactment is that of 3rd Henry VI, c5 (1424) appointing Commission "to survey, redress and amend all defaults" of river. Other statutes followed in 1429 (30) and in 13th year of Elizabeth (1571), latter entitled "An Act for bringing of River Lea to north side of city of London", whereby whole jurisdiction rule and government of said river or new cut were vested in Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of London.

In 1739, act was obtained nominating "Trustees for putting into execution powers and Trusts in them reposed by virtue of act of Parliament of 1739, Intituled, Act for ascertaining preserving and improving Navigation of River Lee from Town of Hertford to Town of Ware in County of Hertford and for preserving and improving said river from said Town of Ware to New Cutt of River made by Mayor, Commonalty and Citizens of London and for enabling Governor and Company of New River, better to supply Cities of London and Westminister and Libertys and Suburbs thereof with good and wholesome water".

In 1868 was passed constituting Board of Conservancy for management of River Lea instead of trustees as of old. Of this Board 5 members are appointed by landowners on banks of river and its contributaries, 1 by barge owners, 1 by heads of local authorities of towns on river, 2 by New River Company, 2 by East London Waterworks Company, 1 represents Lord Mayor, Alderman and Common Council of London and 1 Metropolitan Board of Works. Funds arising from tolls are laid out in improvement and maintenance of navigation. Passed into British Transport Commission 1st January 1948 by virtue of Transport Act 1947.