Walton Bridge Over Bridgewater Canal - Walton, UK
Posted by: dtrebilc
N 53° 21.616 W 002° 36.440
30U E 526132 N 5912420
This narrow brick built single arch road bridge carries Walton Road over the Bridgewater Canal. In February 2015 it fell victim to a problem with GPS. was badly damaged by a large lorry. Ironically the lorry was carrying a load of bricks
Waymark Code: WMQBZ1
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/01/2016
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."
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The Bridge
This bridge is a Historic England Grade II listed building with following text. "Bridge circa 1770 by James Brindley for the Duke of Bridgewater (carrying Warrington Road over the Bridgewater Canal). Stone-dressed brown brick. Deep segmented arch with springers and raised band of stone around brick voussoirs. Flush stone copings to parapets. Abutments curved in plan and battered in section. Oak rubbing-post for towropes in east corner of abutment. Sandstone kerbs to canal banks under bridge; dry-stone lining to embankments adjoining bridge."
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On most UK canals the bridges are numbered, but on the Bridgewater Canal they are named, the style of the nameplates is white background with green lettering.
The damage to the bridge in February 2015 was caused by a large lorry carrying bricks. The lorry should not have been on this narrow bridge, but it is believed that it was following SatNav directions.
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