Nerve canal

During the Second Industrial Revolution, the industries in the cities of Roubaix and Tourcoing developed very rapidly: dye works, weaving mills, and wool washing facilities… The industrialized area of Roubaix-Tourcoing-Lille had a high demand for coal, and the coal mines of Hainaut were an important supplier. There was also a need for a connecting road for the transportation of goods. The 'Canal de l'Espierre' was constructed in 1840 as a waterway connection from the Scheldt to the Canal de Roubaix (in Roubaix) and up to the Deûle (in Lille). The canal was built along the path of the highly meandering Spierebeek. It was 8.4 km long, 16 meters wide, and 2 meters deep. The canal was put out of use after the closure of the last factory in 1983 and has not been navigable since then. The canal has been navigable again for recreational boating since 2011.

Contact details:
- Spierekanaal

Vl. Toeristisch bezienswaardigheden