Stone Arch Bridge 49 on Rochdale Canal – Littleborough, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 38.632 W 002° 05.442
30U E 560111 N 5944283
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: WMD5F7
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/21/2011
Views: 2
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 September 2007. As well as leisure boats, the canal attracts lots of walkers and cyclists along the tow path.
Details of this bridge
The road over this stone arch bridge, number 49 is in the outskirts of Littleborough. It connects the A58, the main road through Littleborough with a series of old mills and a double row of mill cottages for the workers.
When the canal first opened in 1804 the boats were still towed by horses. Because this bridge is on a bend there are grooves in the stone work where the ropes have rubbed against the bridge.
These old bridges on the canal are often next to locks because that is where the canal is at its narrowest, and so they are cheaper and easier to build. In this case, there is no nearby lock but the canal does become narrower for the same reason.
Physical Location (city, county, etc.): Littleborough, Greater Manchester
Road, Highway, Street, etc.: Ealees Road
Water or other terrain spanned: The Rochdale Canal
Construction Date: 1/1/1804
Architect/Builder: Not listed
|
Visit Instructions:
Post one photo of the bridge that is a different view from the one on the page and describe your visit. Add any additional information that you may have about this bridge. A GPSr photo is NOT required.