Bridge 5 On The Ashton Canal – Clayton, UK - Arch Bridges on Waymarking.com

The Ashton Canal
The Ashton Canal runs between Manchester and Ashton under Lyne, UK. It ascends for 6.7 miles and has 18 locks. It was originally built in 1796 to transport coal to the large industrial city of Manchester. As time went on a number of other short canals were built as branches to feed other goods from surrounding towns into the network. In 1800 the canal was extended slightly within Manchester to join the Rochdale Canal which greatly extended the network of the canals connected to Manchester. At its peak it was a successful canal, but competition from railways and then roads caused its closure in 1958.

During the 1960s and 1970s canals started to become popular with leisure boaters. After a long campaign this canal was restored and reopened in 1974.

The bridge
The bridge is in a built up area with warehouses and old mills around it. A set of stone steps lead down from the bridge onto the canal towpath. The steps are next to a sign warning boaters that the bridge arch is lower than normal.

In 1994 the bridge became an English Heritage Grade II listed building. The listing describes the bridge as a “Public road bridge over Ashton Canal. Probably c.1800. Brown brick in English garden wall bond, with sandstone dressings. Narrow rectangular structure across canal waisted to width of lock. A low segmental arch of brick springing from a sandstone base, with a keystone (oval cast-iron number plate attached to this); broad pilasters and terminal pilasters, stone band, brick parapet with stone coping.”.

What type of traffic does this bridge support?: motor vehicles, pedestrians, cycles What kind of gap does this bridge cross?: The Ashton Canal Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: yes Name of road or trail the bridge services: Beswick Street Location: Clayton, Greater Manchester Length of bridge: Not listed Height of bridge: Not listed Date constructed: Not listed

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