Tapton Mill Bridge Over Chesterfield Canal - Chesterfield, UK
Posted by: dtrebilc
N 53° 14.823 W 001° 25.183
30U E 605443 N 5900918
This single arch brick bridge was built as an accommodation bridge for the nearby mill and is bridge number 1 on the canal.
Waymark Code: WM10FPQ
Location: East Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/30/2019
Views: 2
"The canal was built to link Chesterfield, Worksop and Retford to the Trent and so gain access to more trade. Local Anston Stone was transported by the canal to the river Trent for the building of the new Houses of Parliament. During the 19th century the canal was a commercial success due to local coal. However, mining caused subsidence in the Norwood Tunnel, severing the top end of the canal.
The Chesterfield Canal runs from the river Trent at West Stockwith to Chesterfield. The Canal is 45.5 miles (73.3 km) long and has 65 locks, but only the section from West Stockwith the eastern end of Norwood Tunnel is currently navigable. This navigable section is 31.6 miles (50.9 km) long and has 46 locks.
At the isolated western end of the canal, five miles and five locks have been restored. The new Staveley Town Basin opened in 2012. There are slipways at Tapton Lock in Chesterfield and Staveley Town Basin. There is also a craning pad at the basin. This leaves nine miles to be restored. There are detailed plans for the entire stretch, prepared by the Chesterfield Canal Partnership."
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The bridge is a Historic England Grade II Listed Building.
"BRIMINGTON ROAD 1. 5169 (North West Side) Tapton Hill Bridge over Chesterfield Canal (1st bridge to north of canal junction with river Rother) SK 37 SE 13/255 II
2. Circa 1777. (Chesterfield Canal begun by James Brindley and completed by his brother-in-law Henshall). Red brick bridge with stone coped parapet. Curved plan. Low arch with top course of arch advanced. Some patching and part of north side end wall apparently modified. Brick pilasters flank arch. Ref Nixon F.p.237."
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As well as being the first bridge from the junction with the River Rother, there is a flood lock immediately in front of the bridge. It was originally built to prevent access to the river when it was in flood, but these days is normally kept closed at all times.