Granthams Bridge Over Bridgewater Canal - Lymm, UK
Posted by: dtrebilc
N 53° 22.969 W 002° 26.989
30U E 536595 N 5914998
This single arch brick bridge was built in 1770 as an accommodation bridge over the Bridgewater Canal.
Waymark Code: WMQD63
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/08/2016
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. "Accommodation bridge over Bridgewater Canal, circa 1770, by James Brindley. Old red brick. Deep segmental arch of brick on stone springers is backed by a plain stone band. Battered curved abutments. Brick parapets with plain stone copings."
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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.
Spud Wood
Immediately south of the canal the bridge gives access to a new woodland planted by The Woodlands Trust.
"This new woodland was planted in 1998/99 with a mix of native broadleaved trees and also includes meadow areas seeded with native grasses and wildflowers. The Bridgewater Canal runs along the northern boundary to the site linking it to the wider countryside including nearby Dunham Massey and the village of Lymm. There is an existing woodland, Helsdale Wood, that borders the south of the wood. There is an extensive network of approximately 2km of unsurfaced paths through the site with good views to the east across to the Pennines."
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