Aqueducts of the Inland Waterways: December 2009

Sunday, 13 December 2009

Aberdulais Aqueduct, Neath and Tenant Cenal

Aberdulais Aqueduct
Neath and Tennant Canal
13th December 2009

Of the Neath and Tennant Canal's three aqueducts, the Aberbulais is the only one which stands in it's unreconstructed form.

Aberdulais Aqueduct (Photo: JimShead.Com)

Sadly, the structure is unstable and currently not fit for navigation and will therefore need to be replaced of repaired if boats are to cross the River Neath and enter the northern end of the Tennant canal en route to Swansea Docks.

Saturday, 5 December 2009

Railway Aqueduct at Anson Junction, Walsall Canal

Railway aqueduct at Anson Junction
Walsall canal BCN
5th December 2009

Just to the south of Anson Junction the little used Walsall Canal crosses the Wolverhampton to Walsall railway line.

Railway Aqueduct Walsall Canal BCN

This crossing is achieved by a very railway looking bridge / aqueduct. Gaining access to railway aqueducts is tricky and I have only been able to capture a view from the west.

Not much clearance for the power cables.

River Rea Aqueduct, Anson Branch BCN

River Rea Aqueduct
Anson Branch BCN
5th December 2009

The diminutive Anson Branch Canal (abandoned) contains not one aqueduct but two. In addition to the old railway aqueduct the Rive Rea runs through a brick tunnel, slightly to the south.

Rea Aqueduct under Anson Branch BCN - Eastern portal

The River Rea is prone to flash flooding, hence the very visible high water mark, which was reached the day before our visit.

Rea Aqueduct Anson Branch - western portal

Anson Aqueduct

Anson Aqueduct

Anson Branch Canal (derelict) BCN

New photos taken by the Captain in November 2009.

East face of old railway aqueduct on Anson Arm (BCN) - plus Jeff

This structure remains in water and is located on the southern section of the 1.5 mile Anson Branch stub, which linked to the Walsall Canal and served collieries at Reedswood (now a park) and also limestone quarries near Bentley.

Western face of old railway aqueduct on Anson Arm near junction with Bentley Canal

The arched structure was built of Staffordshire blue bricks in 1830, and now carries the canal over Morarchs Way, a walking / cycle path which links to Halesowen.

The northern section of the Anson Branch was severed by the construction of Junction 10 of the M6 in the early 1960's but can still be identified, albeit in a very weeded up state.

My thanks for Mr Truth who spotted the remains of the arm in his wanderings around Walsall.

What this site is about:

Most elements of the UK's inland waterways are best appreciated from the water, either in a boat or from the towpath. However, the same can't be said of the many aqueducts without which the inland waterways system couldn't exist.

There is always something amazing about seeing a boat floating across the skyline. This was true when Brindley built the first aqueduct over the Irwell at Barton, and the thousands of tourists that flock to Pontcysyllte each year will probably say the same today.

From a boaters perspective, these impressive structures often appear as little more than an extended narrows, perhaps with a fleeting glimpse along river, road, railway or canal down below.

To see these structures in all their glory you have to leave the safety of your boat and scramble down to some pretty weird vantage points. This site provides a new perspective on these impressive memorials to the work of the canal builders over 200 years ago.

The site is being populated on an ad hoc basis, so don't expect to find an A-Z gazeteer anytime soon!

I can't claim credit for all the photos. Google Images has provided a rich seam of quality material and, where possible, I have credited the originator.

My apologies if I have got any wrong!