Walton Bridge Over The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal - Walton, 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

The track over the bridge connects with Green Gore Lane to the south which leads to the village of Walton, and so pedestrians and cyclists can access the canal from there.

The bridge is on a slight bend in the canal and as boats were towed by horses when the canal opened the ropes would rub against the brickwork of the bridge. Metal rope protectors are are attached to the bridge to stop damage.

The bridge is a Historic England Grade II Listed Building.
"Walton Bridge (No.104) on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal is designated at Grade II for the following principal reasons: * Despite some minor repairs, it is a substantially intact canal structure of the early to mid-C19 * It is of historic interest in the context of both the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and as part of the national waterways system of the late C18 and early C19" link

What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Farm Vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists What kind of gap does this bridge cross?: Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal Date constructed: 1771 Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: Yes Name of road or trail the bridge services: Unnamed farm track Location: Walton, Staffordshire Length of bridge: Not listed Height of bridge: Not listed

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