Lodgefield Bridge Over The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal - Baswich, UK
Posted by: dtrebilc
N 52° 47.917 W 002° 04.450
30U E 562420 N 5850269
This single arch brick bridge was built as an accommodation bridge and is bridge number 102.
Waymark Code: WM10C42
Location: West Midlands, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/11/2019
Views: 1
"The Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal is a navigable narrow canal in Staffordshire and Worcestershire in the English Midlands. It is 46 miles (74 km) long, linking the River Severn at Stourport in Worcestershire with the Trent and Mersey Canal at Haywood Junction by Great Haywood.
James Brindley was the chief engineer of the canal, which was part of his "Grand Cross" plan for waterways connecting Hull, Liverpool and Bristol.
The Act of Parliament authorising the canal was passed on 14 May 1766. This created "The Company of Proprietors of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal Navigation", which was empowered to raise an initial £70,000 (equivalent to £9,561,529 in 2018), with a further £30,000 (equivalent to £4,097,798 in 2018), if needed, to fund the canal's construction.
The canal was completed in 1771 for a cost that exceeded the authorised capital, and opened to trade in 1772. It was a commercial success, with trade from the Staffordshire Potteries southwards to Gloucester and Bristol, and trade from the Black Country northwards to the Potteries via the junction with the Birmingham Canal at Aldersley.
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These days the bridge carries a private road to give access for the residents of a static caravan park.