Oxford-Burcot Commission

The Oxford-Burcot Commission was the first commission concerned with the management of the River Thames, appointed by an act of Parliament, the Thames Commission of Sewers Act 1605 (3 Jas. 1. c. 14) to make the stretch of river from Burcot to Oxford navigable.^[1] The commission took responsibility for the management of the River Thames between Oxford and Burcot. It consisted of 18 members, including a representative each from Oxford city and from the University. However its work was irregular and by 1611 it had ceased altogether.

Thames Commission of Sewers Act 1605

Act of Parliament
Parliament of England
Long title	An Acte for explanacion of the Statute of Sewers.
Citation	3 Jas. 1. c. 14
Dates
Royal assent	27 May 1606
Commencement	6 January 1606
Other legislation
Repealed by	Land Drainage Act 1930
Status: Repealed

Thames Navigation Act 1623

Act of Parliament
Parliament of England
Long title	An Act for making the river of Thames navigable for barges, boats and lighters, from the village of Bercot, in the county of Oxon, unto the university and city of Oxon.
Citation	21 Jas. 1. c. 32
Dates
Royal assent	29 May 1624
Commencement	12 February 1624
Other legislation
Repeals/revokes	River Thames Act 1605
Repealed by	Thames Conservancy Act 1894
Status: Repealed

A second strengthened act of Parliament in 1624, the Thames Navigation Act 1623 (21 Jas. 1. c. 32), allowed for the appointment of eight commissioners of sewers. This was also known as the Oxford-Burcot Commission. It had the power to tax Oxford city and the university, to clean the river and to install locks and weirs. Iffley Lock, Sandford Lock and a lock on the Swift Ditch near the present Abingdon Lock were built in 1631. However, its work was slow and costly and the first barge did not reach Oxford until 1635.

Consequently Thames Navigation Commissioners were appointed in 1751 by a further act of Parliament under King George II, the Thames and Isis Navigation Act 1750 (24 Geo. 2. c. 8). This commission had similar powers but covered the entire length of the River Thames down to Staines.

See also

• Locks on the River Thames

References

1. Crossley, Alan; Elrington, C. R., eds. (1979). "Communications". A History of the County of Oxford. Vol. 4: The City of Oxford. pp. 284–295. ISBN 978-0-19-722714-5.