Bridge 46 on Rochdale Canal – Littleborough, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 39.012 W 002° 05.065
30U E 560517 N 5944993
The Rochdale canal is 32 miles long and connects Manchester on the west side of the Pennine Hills and Sowerby Bridge on the east side.
Waymark Code: WMD3M3
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 11/14/2011
Views: 4
The Canal History
The Rochdale Canal was completed in 1804 and is one of three canals that cross the Pennine hills. This is the only one that doesn’t use tunnels. In addition it was a broad canal with bridges and locks that allowed boats of 14 feet width to pass through.
Competition from railways and roads subsequently led to a decline in goods being carried and by 1937 the only section left in operation was at the Manchester end of the canal.
In 1965 there was talk of abandoning the canal but by this time leisure boating had become very popular in the UK and there was a campaign to keep it open. Work was started to repair the canal and the whole length finally reopened in July 2002. As well as leisure boats, the canal attracts lots of walkers and cyclists along the tow path.
Details of this bridge
This stone bridge 46 is on the western side of the summit of the canal and was built to provide access to farmland on either side of the canal.
The canal narrows at this point to make the bridge cheaper and easier to build. Immediately after the bridge on the southern side there is a bend in the canal. When the canal was first opened the boats were pulled by horses and because of the bend there are grooves in the stonework where the ropes rubbed along the side of the bridge.
There is a tow path alongside the western side of the canal allowing access on foot. The nearest place to approach from is the A58 to the south.
What type of traffic does this bridge support?: Farm vehicles, farm animals and pedestrians
What kind of gap does this bridge cross?:
Rochdale Canal
Date constructed: 1/1/1804
Is the bridge still in service for its original purpose?: yes
Name of road or trail the bridge services: Farm track
Location:
Between Littleborough and Calderbrook
Length of bridge: Not listed
Height of bridge: Not listed
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