Clifton Aqueduct, Grade II listed aqueduct bridge in Clifton, England.
Clifton Aqueduct is a stone bridge that carries the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal over the River Irwell and features three curved arches with stone details at their centers. The structure is supported by triangular cutwater projections and flat pilasters that hold the waterway above the river.
The structure was built in 1796 by Charles Roberts and John Nightingale as part of a larger system with six aqueducts along the canal route. Its construction marked an important point in the development of canal transport in the region during the late 1700s.
The structure shows how canals shaped daily life in this region and connected different communities together. People used this waterway for moving goods and traveling, making the crossing central to how the area functioned.
The aqueduct is used today by walkers and cyclists and connects Prestwich Forest Park with the start of the Outwood Trail. The crossing over the structure is straightforward to find and offers a natural link between these two areas.
The structure contains special grooves carved for stop planks that allowed maintenance workers to drain canal sections when needed. These practical details show how carefully the late 1700s engineers thought through upkeep challenges.
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