HIGHEST - Broad Lock in England, Summit, UK - Superlatives on Waymarking.com

The Canal History
The Rochdale Canal was completed in 1804 and is one of three canals that cross the Pennine hills. This is the only one that doesn’t use tunnels. In addition it was a broad canal with bridges and locks that allowed boats of 14 feet width to pass through.

The one downside of not using tunnels is that it originally had 92 locks. These days two of them have been combined into one deep lock.

Competition from railways and roads subsequently led to a decline in goods being carried and by 1937 the only section left in operation was at the Manchester end of the canal.

In 1965 there was talk of abandoning the canal but by this time leisure boating had become very popular in the UK and there was a campaign to keep it open. Work was started and the canal slowly re-opened in a number of different stages. The whole length finally reopened for navigation on 1 July 2002.

This lock, number 37 is on the western side of the Pennines and the summit pound at the highest part of the canal. The sign with name and number of the lock advertises that this is the highest broad lock in England.

WEST SUMMIT LOCK      No. 37
"Highest Broad Lock in England"

Type of documentation of superlative status: Information is on the lock name and number sign Location of coordinates: The towpath at the side of the canal opposite the name sign. Web Site: Not listed

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