Stone Bridge 168 On The Leeds Liverpool Canal – Gargrave, UK - Arch Bridges on Waymarking.com

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 an elliptical arch, designed by Robert Whitworth. The bridge is a Grade II English Heritage listed building although the listing mistakenly refers to it as bridge 68 rather than 168. It was built in 1790 when the canal was extended from Gargrave to Burnley. As well as carrying Marton Road over the canal it also acts as a changeline bridge and carries the towpath from one side of the canal to the other.

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 wooden post is no longer present, but the metal joint that used to hold the post in place is still attached to the bridge.

What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Motor vehicles, bikes and pedestrians What kind of gap does this bridge cross?: The Leeds Liverpool Canal Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes Name of road or trail the bridge services: 1790 Location: Gargrave, Uk Length of bridge: Not listed Height of bridge: Not listed Date constructed: Not listed

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