Stone Arch Bridge 47 on Rochdale Canal – Littleborough, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 38.909 W 002° 05.201
30U E 560369 N 5944800
The Rochdale canal is 32 miles long and connects Manchester on the west side of the Pennine Hills and Sowerby Bridge on the east side.
Waymark Code: WMD3C7
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/13/2011
Views: 4
The Canal History
The Rochdale Canal was completed in 1804 and is one of three canals that cross the Pennine hills. This is the only one that doesn’t use tunnels. In addition it was a broad canal with bridges and locks that allowed boats of 14 feet width to pass through.
Competition from railways and roads subsequently led to a decline in goods being carried and by 1937 the only section left in operation was at the Manchester end of the canal.
In 1965 there was talk of abandoning the canal but by this time leisure boating had become very popular in the UK and there was a campaign to keep it open. Work was started to repair the canal and the whole length finally reopened in July 2002. As well as leisure boats, the canal attracts lots of walkers and cyclists along the tow path.
Details of this bridge
This small stone bridge 47 is on the western side of the summit and was built to provide access to farmland on either side of the canal. It stands to the south of and right next to lock 46.
These small bridges tended to be built next to the locks because the canal is at its narrowest, and so the bridges area easier and cheaper to build. In this case even the tow path is outside the span of the bridge allowing the bridge to be even narrower.
There is a tow path alongside the western side of the canal allowing access on foot. The nearest place to approach from is the A58 to the south.
Physical Location (city, county, etc.): Littleborough, Greater Manchester
Road, Highway, Street, etc.: Unnamed Track
Water or other terrain spanned: Rochdale Canal
Construction Date: 1/1/1804
Architect/Builder: Not listed
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