Crossword Genius

Factory drivers by English Channel (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

millrace

'channel' is the definition.
(millrace is a kind of channel)

'factory drivers by english' is the wordplay.
'factory' becomes 'mill' ('mill' can be a synonym of 'factory').
'drivers' becomes 'rac' (I've seen this in other clues).
'by' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'english' becomes 'e' (abbreviation).
'mill'+'rac'+'e'='MILLRACE'

(Other definitions for millrace that I've seen before include "Channel for the water current that turns a wheel" , "current providing power" , "Channel leading to water wheel" , "Channel for water driving wheel" , "Flow of water" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.
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