Stretford Reach - Stretford, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 26.735 W 002° 18.321
30U E 546136 N 5922063
This 25 feet high sculpture was erected in 2004 to mark an entrance point to the Bridgewater Canal Towpath.
Waymark Code: WMN1BT
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 12/06/2014
Views: 1
"The Bridgewater Canal connects Runcorn, Manchester and Leigh, in North West England. It was commissioned by Francis Egerton, 3rd Duke of Bridgewater, to transport coal from his mines in Worsley to Manchester. It was opened in 1761 from Worsley to Manchester, and later extended from Manchester to Runcorn, and then from Worsley to Leigh.
Often considered to be the first "true" canal in England, as it relied upon existing watercourses as sources of water rather than as navigable routes. Navigable throughout its history, it is one of the few canals in Britain not to have been nationalised, and remains privately owned. Pleasure craft now use the canal which forms part of the Cheshire Ring network of canals."
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Stretford is a few miles south of Manchester and is on the Manchester to Runcorn part of the canal.
No only has canal become popular with leisure boaters local authorities are keen to promote the use of the towpath for cyclists and walkers. When improvement works were carried out to give easier disabled and cycle access to the canal at Edge Lane this sculpture was erected to mark the spot.
The road crosses the canal at quite a high level and this sculpture had to be tall to be visible from the road.
The main support of the sculpture represents the canal in the form of flowing water. At the top of the sculpture is a roundel with a canal boat and a fish.
Since industry has declined along the canal the quality of the water in the canal has improved and fish stock increased.
There is a small plaque at the base of the sculpture.
'Stretford Reach'
Artists
Pail Bearman and Stephen Hitchin
Supported
By
Stretford Town Centre Partnership
2003