Hollinwood Branch Canal Aqueduct Over Crime Lane, Waterhouses, UK - Stone Bridges on Waymarking.com

The Canal

"The Hollinwood Branch Canal was a canal near Hollinwood, in Oldham, England. It left the main line of the Ashton Canal at Fairfield Junction immediately above lock 18. It was just over 4.5 miles (7.2 km) long and went through Droylsden and Waterhouses to terminate at Hollinwood Basin (Hollinwood Top Wharf). It rose through four locks at Waterhouses (19–22) and another four at Hollinwood (23–26). Immediately above lock 22 at Waterhouses was Fairbottom Junction where the Fairbottom Branch Canal started. Beyond Hollinwood Basin there was a lock free private branch, known as the Werneth Branch Canal, to Old Lane Colliery, which opened in 1797. It is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest and a Local Nature Reserve.

History

The Hollinwood Branch Canal was comparatively rural in character apart from mills and factories at Droylsden. Its main purpose was to carry coal from numerous local collieries to the many mills and factories in the neighbourhood of the Ashton Canal. Passengers were also carried along its length.

This canal was extensively used until about 1928 when trade began to decline rapidly due to competition from railways and roads. However, this was not the only problem as mining subsidence was becoming serious and it unofficially closed in 1932, although parts of it remained navigable. It was not until 1955 that most of it was officially closed and the short remaining section from the main line at Fairfield Junction was officially closed in 1961. link

The Aqueduct

The aqueduct consists of a tall stone single arch structure. The structure has an unusual feature in that the canal is carried within a metal trough which pierces the arch. Although it was built in 1797 there is a date carved into the parapet of 1859 when presumably the bridge was repaired. It's not clear whether the metal trough was added then or was always part of the bridge.

There is a set of stone steps that lead from the canal down to the road.

Physical Location (city, county, etc.): Waterhouses, Metropolitan Borough of Oldham, Greater Manchester Road, Highway, Street, etc.: Former Hollinwood Branch Canal Water or other terrain spanned: Crime Lane, a single track minor road. Construction Date: 1797 Architect/Builder: Not listed

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Date Logged Log User Rating   07/07/2021 Hitman9956 visited it