Old Norton Townfield Bridge Over Bridgewater Canal - Halton, UK
Posted by: 
dtrebilc
N 53° 20.500 W 002° 40.219
30U E 521950 N 5910329
This brick built single arch bridge carries a public footpath over the Bridgewater Canal.
Waymark Code: WMQCZY
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/07/2016
Views: 1
The Bridgewater Canal
"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."
link
The Bridge
This single arch brick bridge is one of many of a similar design on the canal.
When the canal was first built the boats were towed by horses and the tow ropes rubbed against the bridges especially where they were on a bend. As time went on wooden rollers were installed on the bridges to protect them. Not many of these rollers remain, but evidence can be seen on this bridge where one was installed.