Longford Bridge On Bridgewater Canal - Stretford, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 27.082 W 002° 18.089
30U E 546386 N 5922709
This arch bridge carries the north bound carriage way of Chester Road over the Bridgewater Canal.
Waymark Code: WMN090
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 12/01/2014
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.
It carries the main trunk road to Manchester (A56) and at one time carried traffic in both directions. As the volume of traffic increased a modern concrete flat bed bridge was built parallel to this one. This bridge now carries north bound traffic to Manchester and the new bridge, south bound traffic.
Each side of the bridge carries a pipe across the canal.