Saint Thomas Bridge Over The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal - Baswich, UK - Arch Bridges on Waymarking.com

"The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal is a navigable narrow canal in Staffordshire and Worcestershire in the English Midlands. It is 46 miles (74 km) long, linking the River Severn at Stourport in Worcestershire with the Trent and Mersey Canal at Haywood Junction by Great Haywood.

James Brindley was the chief engineer of the canal, which was part of his "Grand Cross" plan for waterways connecting Hull, Liverpool and Bristol.

The Act of Parliament authorising the canal was passed on 14 May 1766. This created "The Company of Proprietors of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Navigation", which was empowered to raise an initial £70,000 (equivalent to £9,561,529 in 2018), with a further £30,000 (equivalent to £4,097,798 in 2018), if needed, to fund the canal's construction.

The canal was completed in 1771 for a cost that exceeded the authorised capital, and opened to trade in 1772. It was a commercial success, with trade from the Staffordshire Potteries southwards to Gloucester and Bristol, and trade from the Black Country northwards to the Potteries via the junction with the Birmingham Canal at Aldersley. link

Baswich lane narrows from a two lane road to a single lane track over the bridge and has a weight restriction of 7.5 tons m g w. Because the bridge is so narrow here a modern footbridge has been added to the eastern side of the bridge.

The bridge is a Historic England Grade II Listed Building.
"Bridge over the Staffordshire and Worcester Canal. Brick with ashlar dressings. Elliptical arch with ashlar imposts and hood band; plain stone-coped parapet. Cast-iron plaques with name and number. A good unaltered example. " link

What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Motor vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists What kind of gap does this bridge cross?: Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal Date constructed: 1772 Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes Name of road or trail the bridge services: Baswich Lane Location: Baswich, Staffordshire Length of bridge: Not listed Height of bridge: Not listed

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