Arch Bridge 152 On The Leeds Liverpool Canal – Barnoldswick, UK
Posted by: dtrebilc
N 53° 54.722 W 002° 10.461
30U E 554234 N 5974049
This stone arch bridge is also known as Cockshott Bridge.
Waymark Code: WMN6PG
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 01/05/2015
Views: 1
The canal is 127.25 miles long and flows from the inland woollen town of Leeds to the coastal sea port of Liverpool, crossing the Pennines along the way. Work on the canal started in 1770 and built in a number of sections and was finally completed in 1816.
This bridge is a stone bridge with a single elliptical arch, designed by Robert Whitworth. and is a Grade II English Heritage
listed building. It was built as an accommodation bridge for a nearby farm in 1794 when the canal was extended from Gargrave to Burnley.
Like many of the bridges on this canal the arch stones are painted white to help boat owners judge their approach through the bridge. In addition because the bridge straddles the tow path on one side of the canal the bridge keystone is not in the middle of the canal. The canal is quite shallow along this stretch and so a vertical white line painted on the bridge parapet indicates the middle of the canal itself, the deepest part of the canal.
The bridge is on a slight bend in the canal and when horses were originally used to tow the canal boats, grooves were cut into the arch. To prevent this a wooden post was attached to the arch of the bridge to protect it.
These days the bridge has been given a new use as it carries the Pennine Bridleway over the canal. The Pennine Bridleway is a 205 miles (330 Km) long National Trail running through the Pennine hills from Derbyshire to Cumbria. It has been specially designed for horse riders, and is also great for mountain bikers and walkers. The route was opened in stages with the full 205 mile route opened by Martin Clunes in June 2012.
link.