Miner's Bridge, Coniston, Cumbria
N 54° 22.372 W 003° 05.274
30U E 494289 N 6025011
Miner's Bridge is at the entrance to Coppermines valley above Coniston village. The two paths either side of Church Beck meet here. 10 minutes walk from free parking.
Waymark Code: WM2RG4
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 12/14/2007
Views: 24
Miner's Bridge was the route the workers took and way goods were brought back down. The unsurfaced road on northern bank is used by occupants cars of old miner's cottages and Youth Hostel. Although you can drive to this bridge but you are asked not to. Instead park behind the Co-op grocery store and walk. Or find the path behind The Sun Hotel, at Dixon Ground Farm, and approach from the other bank.
Miner's Bridge is made from local slate with a high arch to clear the often raging flow. Nowadays iron railings and a gate contain the users on the bridge's stone surfaced deck. This bridge is on the very popular Coniston Old Man walk. (
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Recent water engineering to supply the mini HEP further downstream has left the southern path's surfaced in a poor state.
The bridge has been refurbished with slate supplied by Burlington Quarries, and work done by local craftsmen.
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"Waste Management at Brandy Crag Quarry
Waste slate from this quarry has recently been used in the construction of a small weir by United Utilities to provide a ‘compensation flow’ from Levers Water near Coniston. It has also provided stone for the re-furbishment of part of the old Miner's Bridge."
"Restoration work carried out to miner’s bridge Coppermines Coniston, working in cooperation with Chris Hull Construction Ltd, this work to reinstate the parapet walls was commissioned by the Lake District National Park Authority. New gates, stoops and railings have transformed this local landmark." www.wwatson.co.uk
Links
Mining history (
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