Rochdale Canal Bridge Number 4 – Luddenden Foot, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 42.797 W 001° 56.197
30U E 570181 N 5952147
This stone bridge carries the road called Tenterfields over the Rochdale Canal.
Waymark Code: WMEJ59
Location: Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 06/03/2012
Views: 3
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.
The one downside of not using tunnels is that it originally had 92 locks. These days two of them have been combined into one deep lock in front of this tunnel.
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 and the canal slowly re-opened in a number of different stages.
Details of the bridge
This is bridge number 4 on The Rochdale Canal and was built in 1798 by Jessop and Crossley engineers. This is at the time that the part of the canal between Sowerby Bridge and Rochdal was opened, earlier than some other parts of the canal.
It is an accommodation bridge to allow the residents of a nearby farm get across the canal and have access to the main road network.
It is built on a slight bend in the canal and on the side of a hill. It crosses the canal quite steeply and at an oblique angle.
On the eastern side there is a set of 14 steep stone steps to provide access from the road to the tow path.
Physical Location (city, county, etc.): Luddenden Foot
Road, Highway, Street, etc.: Tenterfields
Water or other terrain spanned: The Rochdale Canal
Architect/Builder: Jessops and Crossley Engineers
Construction Date: 1/1/1798
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