The pumping station operated continuously, providing water for the increasing traffic on the canal.
Problems with the size of the water wheel, which was supported at either end, meant that the middle of the wheel sagged, putting strain on the bearings and stays.
In the 1840s the trussing was changed from stays to tension rods to strengthen and lighten the wheel, along with improvements to the pumps.
The changes to the wheel were unsuccessful, and in the 1850s a central bearing was added dividing the wheel in two.

The opening of the Great Western Railway in 1841 led to a significant decline in the canal's traffic, even though the canal company lowered tariffs.
In 1852 the railway company took over the canal's operation.
In 1877 the canal recorded a deficit of £1,920 and never subsequently made any profit.
The Somerset Coal Canal and Wilts and Berks Canal, which each supplied some of the trade to the Kennet and Avon, including freight from the Somerset coalfield, closed in 1904 and 1906 respectively.
At Claverton various minor repairs were needed to the wheel and pump, and the wheel had to be levelled at regular intervals during the later part of the 19th and early 20th centuries.
The 408 "green oak" teeth on the pitwheel also had to be replaced several times.

In 1926, following a loss of £18,041 the previous year, the Great Western Railway sought to close the canal by obtaining a Ministry of Transport Order, but the move was resisted and the company charged with improving its maintenance of the canal.
After the Second World War the Transport Act of 1947 meant that control of the canal passed to the British Transport Commission, but by the 1950s large sections had been closed because of poor lock maintenance following a breach in the bank west of the Avoncliff Aqueduct.
Claverton Pumping Station ceased operation in 1952, after the failure of a number of the pitwheel's oak teeth.
The British Transport Commission installed a 6-inch (15 cm) centrifugal pump to maintain the statutory minimum water level.
The pumping station operated continuously, providing water for the increasing traffic on the canal. Problems with the size of the water wheel, which was supported at either end, meant that the middle of the wheel sagged, putting strain on the bearings and stays. In the 1840s the trussing was changed from stays to tension rods to strengthen and lighten the wheel, along with improvements to the pumps. The changes to the wheel were unsuccessful, and in the 1850s a central bearing was added dividing the wheel in two.
The opening of the Great Western Railway in 1841 led to a significant decline in the canal's traffic, even though the canal company lowered tariffs. In 1852 the railway company took over the canal's operation. In 1877 the canal recorded a deficit of £1,920 and never subsequently made any profit. The Somerset Coal Canal and Wilts and Berks Canal, which each supplied some of the trade to the Kennet and Avon, including freight from the Somerset coalfield, closed in 1904 and 1906 respectively. At Claverton various minor repairs were needed to the wheel and pump, and the wheel had to be levelled at regular intervals during the later part of the 19th and early 20th centuries. The 408 "green oak" teeth on the pitwheel also had to be replaced several times.
In 1926, following a loss of £18,041 the previous year, the Great Western Railway sought to close the canal by obtaining a Ministry of Transport Order, but the move was resisted and the company charged with improving its maintenance of the canal. After the Second World War the Transport Act of 1947 meant that control of the canal passed to the British Transport Commission, but by the 1950s large sections had been closed because of poor lock maintenance following a breach in the bank west of the Avoncliff Aqueduct. Claverton Pumping Station ceased operation in 1952, after the failure of a number of the pitwheel's oak teeth. The British Transport Commission installed a 6-inch (15 cm) centrifugal pump to maintain the statutory minimum water level.
Claverton Pumping Station