Bridge 31 Over Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch) - Middlewich, UK - Arch Bridges on Waymarking.com

The Canal
The Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal runs between Middlewich, where it joins the Trent and Mersey Canal, and Barbridge Junction, where it joins the main line of the Shropshire Union Canal.

It is 10 miles (16 km) long, and was planned as part of the Chester Canal, which was authorised in 1772, but the company ran out of money, and construction did not begin until 1827. The Trent and Mersey insisted that there should be no direct connection at Middlewich, and instead built the short Wardle Canal to join the two, charging large compensation tolls for traffic passing along it.

The canal became part of the Shropshire Union system in 1846, which was taken over by the London and North Western Railway within a year. Traffic on the branch was always limited by the compensation tolls, and it was not until 1888 that they were abolished. The canal was the location for trials with locomotive haulage of boats in 1888, using a narrow-gauge engine from Crewe railway works, but no further action was taken. The canal became part of the London Midland and Scottish Railway in 1923. The railway company closed 175 miles (282 km) of canals in 1944, but the Shropshire Union main line and the Middlewich Branch were spared, and passed into the jurisdiction of the British Waterways Board following nationalisation in 1948.

The canal follows a delightful rural route through farmland across Cheshire, with a short urban section near the junction at Middlewich. Many of the structures are original, and consequently, most of them are grade II listed. There is no commercial traffic on the waterway, but transition to the leisure age has resulted in two marinas being constructed to provide moorings for pleasure craft. link

The Bridge
The bridge is the first bridge on the canal from the junction with the Trent and Mersey Canal.

It is a Historic England Grade II Listed Building Building.
"Canal road-bridge, 1829, of blue-brown and blue brick. Skew basket arch; hollow batter to abutments which are also curved in plan; stone band at road level; brick parapets have square end-piers and recessed stone copings." link

Although this bridge carries motor vehicles near the centre of Middlewich it is only wide enough for single file traffic and in addition has a weight restriction of 18 tons mgw.

What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists What kind of gap does this bridge cross?: The Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal Date constructed: 1829 Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes Name of road or trail the bridge services: Sutton Lane Location: Middlewich, Cheshire East Length of bridge: Not listed Height of bridge: Not listed

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