George Gleave's Bridge Over The Bridgewater Canal - - Arch Bridges on Waymarking.com

"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. link

The canal between Worsley and Manchester opened in 1761. The rest of the canal was completed between 1767 and 1776.

The Bridge
This bridge is a Historic England Grade II listed building with following text. "Accommodation bridge. c1772. By James Brindley for the Duke of Bridgewater. Red brick in English Garden Wall bond; ashlar sandstone dressings. Single span segmental arch rises from splayed abutments having wooden rubbing posts at 3 corners; ashlar springers to brick voussoirs under ashlar band. Coped parapet steps down over curved wing walls." link

On most UK canals the bridges are numbered, but on the Bridgewater Canal they are named, the style of the nameplates is white background with green lettering.

As is mentioned in the listing text the bridge had rubbing posts. These would have been there to protect the bridge from the tow ropes used by the horses towing the canal boats. On some bridges these posts can still be seen, but on this one it is no longer there and the location has been subsequently repaired with brick work.

What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Farm vehicles and animals and pedestrians What kind of gap does this bridge cross?: The Bridgewater Canal Date constructed: 1772 Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes Name of road or trail the bridge services: Unnamed farm track Location: Daresbury, Cheshire Length of bridge: Not listed Height of bridge: Not listed

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