Aqueducts of the Inland Waterways: May 2010

Tuesday, 4 May 2010

Hawthorne Lane Underbridge

Hawthorne Lane Underbridge (Aqueduct)

Bridgewater Canal

April 2010

An impressive three arched aqueduct spanning a road and a dismantled railway immediately to the west of Watch House Cruising Club, near Waters Meeting.

Hawthorne Lane Underbridge (north)

Hawthorne Lane Underbridge (south)

Monday, 3 May 2010

Burford Lane Underbridge

Burford Lane Underbridge (Aqueduct)

Bridgewater Canal

April 2010

A classic Bridgewater design with a raised walkway to keep pedestrian's feet dry.

Burford Lane Underbridge (south)

Burford Lane Underbridge (north)

Sunday, 2 May 2010

Dunham Underbridge (Aqueduct)

Dunham Underbridge

Bridgewater Canal

April 2010

A modern addition to the Bridgewater's Aqueducts, built in the 1980's as part of the breach repairs which included the narrows which reach from this underbridge to the River Bollin Aqueduct to the east.

Dunham Underbridge (south)

Dunham Underbridge (north)

Saturday, 1 May 2010

Bollin Aqueduct

Bollin Aqueduct

Bridgewater Canal

April 2010

One of the more famous, or possibly infamous structures on the Bridgewater. This aqueduct and its surrounding embankment gave way in the 1980's, flooding a big area and took two years and several millions of pounds to repair.

Note the concrete butress to the south added in the 1980's.

Bollin River Aqueduct -north portal

Bollin River Aqueduct - south portal

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!