Edge Lane Bridge On Bridgewater Canal - Stretford, UK
Posted by: dtrebilc
N 53° 26.746 W 002° 18.316
30U E 546142 N 5922084
This brick built arch bridge carries Edge Lane over the Bridgewater Canal
Waymark Code: WMN039
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/30/2014
Views: 1
"The Bridgewater Canal connects Runcorn, Manchester and Leigh, in North West England. It was commissioned by Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, to transport coal from his mines in Worsley to Manchester. It was opened in 1761 from Worsley to Manchester, and later extended from Manchester to Runcorn, and then from Worsley to Leigh.
Often considered to be the first "true" canal in England, as it relied upon existing watercourses as sources of water rather than as navigable routes. Navigable throughout its history, it is one of the few canals in Britain not to have been nationalised, and remains privately owned. Pleasure craft now use the canal which forms part of the Cheshire Ring network of canals.
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The canal between Worsley and Manchester opened in 1761. The rest of the canal was completed between 1767 and 1776.
The bridge spans both the canal and the adjoining tow path. On the north side of the bridge there is a join where the bridge has been widened at some point.
Edge Lane was widened again at some point, but this time a completely new bridge was built. This new bridge now carries westbound traffic and the original bridge carries east bound traffic.