Stone Arch Bridge 46 on Rochdale Canal – Littleborough, UK - Stone Bridges on Waymarking.com

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 stone bridge 46 is on the western side of the summit of the canal and was built to provide access to farmland on either side of the canal.

The canal narrows at this point to make the bridge cheaper and easier to build. This particular bridge is however bigger than most farm access bridges. There is quite a big farm to the east, but the field to the west is quite small and is bounded by a railway line and industrial estate. The bridge which has a grass track over it is quite overgrown and looks like it is not used very much. I assume when the canal was built, before the advent of the railway the bridge gave access to a much bigger field and potentially access to a road.

Immediately after the bridge on the southern side there is a bend in the canal. When the canal was first opened the boats were pulled by horses and because of the bend there are grooves in the stonework where the ropes rubbed along the side of the bridge.

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.): Between Littleborough and Calderbrook Road, Highway, Street, etc.: Farm access track Water or other terrain spanned: Rochdale Canal Construction Date: 1/1/1804 Architect/Builder: Not listed

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Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   07/01/2013 Senrab156 visited it 11/07/2012 hulletteers visited it

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