Bridge 5 Leek Branch of the Caldon Canal - Longsdon, Staffordshire.
N 53° 04.790 W 002° 03.709
30U E 562844 N 5881562
This road bridge is a located on the Leek Branch of the Caldon Canal, Longsdon.
Waymark Code: WMVE5B
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/07/2017
Views: 1
This bridge is a road bridge, built of stone and is the fifth bridge from the Hazelhurst Junction on the Leek Branch of the Caldon Canal.
The bridge is a Grade II Listed Building in Longsdon, Staffordshire. Source: (
visit link) The description given is as follows;
'Road bridge over canal. Early C19. Coursed, squared and dressed rubble.
Slightly concave sides terminated by piers; elliptical arch, string
below parapets with rounded copings and cambered over carriageway. The
Leek branch of the Caldon Canal was opened circa 1801. John Rennie,
Engineer.'
Grooves made by the ropes used by horses to pull the boats can be seen on the bridge stones near the towpath. Grooves in the metal reinforcements that have been attached to protect the stones can also be seen.
The canal divides at the junction with the main line Caldon Canal descending through three locks in an easterly direction toward Cheddleton and on to Frogall, while the Leek Branch continues along the contour to cross the main line on the single-arched Hazelhurst Aqueduct.
The Leek Branch was opened in 1802 and was built both to extend navigation to the town of Leek and to improve water supplies to the main line of the Trent & Mersey Canal, the Caldon Canal being owned by the Trent & Mersey Canal Company.
(
visit link)
(
visit link)