Earlsway Railway Bridge - Waterhouses, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, UK. - Orphaned Bridges on Waymarking.com

The bridge is a stone and brick built railway bridge that carried the former Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway over Earlsway in the village of Waterhouses. (visit link)

"The Leek and Manifold Valley Light Railway (L&MVLR) was a narrow gauge railway in Staffordshire, that operated between 1904 and 1934. The line mainly carried milk from dairies in the region, acting as a feeder to the 4 ft 8 1/2 in (1,435 mm) standard gauge system. It also provided passenger services to the small villages and beauty spots along its route. The line was built to a 2 ft 6 in (762 mm) narrow gauge and to the light rail standards provided by the Light Railways Act 1896 to reduce construction costs.
At Waterhouses station the platform had booking offices, and there was a goods shed. There were two short loops, and three short sidings which joined with standard gauge lines. (A road-widening scheme in the 1960s has subsequently removed much of the evidence.)
The route of the line is now a foot- and cycle- path." Source: (visit link)
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The Manifold Valley footpath and cycle way (now called the Manifold Way) was opened in July 1937 after the LMS handed over the trackbed to Staffordshire County Council. It continues on to Waterhouses, via Hulme End, as a bridle path, and, being tarmacked throughout, is ideal for wheelchair users, prams, etc. For about 1 1/2 miles (2.4 km), near Wetton Mill, the route is shared with motor traffic where the B-road has been diverted, and this section includes Swainsley tunnel, built by Sir Thomas Wardle who, despite being a shareholder in the railway, did not want to see it crossing his land. Some spectacular scenery can be found along the eight-mile (13 km) route, including Thor's Cave, Wetton Hill and Beeston Tor. Many consider that this section bears comparison with the better-known Dovedale a few miles to the east. (The National Trust own several of these sites, as part of their South Peak Estate.) Source: (visit link)

Original Use: Railroad Date Built: 1904 Construction: Brick / Block Condition: Good See this website for more information: [Web Link] Date Abandoned: 1934 Bridge Status - Orphaned or Adopted.: Adopted

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