Arch Bridge 159 On The Lancaster Canal - Farleton, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 54° 13.562 W 002° 42.630
30U E 518874 N 6008709
This single arch stone bridge is an accommodation bridge over the Lancaster Canal for a nearby farm and is known as Atkinson's Bridge.
Waymark Code: WMY9QR
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 05/16/2018
Views: 0
The northern part of the Lancaster Canal between Tewitfield and Kendal is no longer in use.
Until 1942 the Lancaster Canal connected Preston with Kendal. Known as the Black and White canal it carried coal north from the Lancashire Coalfields, and limestone south from Cumbria.
Apart from the eight locks at Tewitfield the canal followed the contours of the countryside and was very flat.
Competition from trains and roads eventually led to the locks at Tewitfield to be closed and Tewitfield became the northern terminus of the canal.
Nine miles of the old canal north of Tewitfield are still in water because it carries water from Killington Reservoir to supply the bottom part of the canal. Although boats cannot use this stretch of the canal the towpath is well maintained and used by walkers and cyclists. Above this point to Kendal it is no longer in water, but the line of the canal is visible and can be walked.
The Lancaster Canal Trust has been formed to try and reinstate all the canal from Tewitfield to Kendal but this will be difficult as the canal has been blocked at a few points by modern road crossings.
The Bridge
This bridge is an Historic England Grade II Listed Building.
"Canal bridge. c.1816. Probably by John Fletcher, engineer, from the original designs of John Rennie whose route for the canal was authorised in 1792. Squared, coursed limestone with limestone string and copings and rounded fender course. Single elliptical arch with rusticated voussoirs and keystone. Parapets curved in plan with pilasters to each end and steps up to roadway at South-West corner. Approx. 3m wide between parapets."
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