Wednesday 13 May 2009

Barton Aqueducts

Barton Aqueducts
Bridgewater and River Irwell / Manchester Ship Canal

Brindley's original
The very first aqueduct in the UK, conceived by the Duke of Bridgewater and built by James Brindley in 1761 to carry the Bridgewater Canal over the River Irwell. Demolished to make way for the unique Barton Swing Aqueduct. Today only the end abutments remain standing either side of the Manchester Ship Canal.



Brindleys original in the 1880's, pre Manchester Ship Canal





Just before demolition in 1891
en.wikipedia.org


Barton Swing Aqueduct


Built in 1893 to replace Brindleys original masonry version as the Irwell Navigation was expanded into the Manchester Ship Canal.
This iconic structure was designed by Edward L Williams, who was also involved in the construction of the equally famous Anderton Boat Lift, and built by Andrew Handyside.
The structure remains impresive even today, swinging its 235 ft / 1450 ton trough round at 90 degrees on a central pivot to allow ships to pass along the once busy MSC.






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