Holliday Street Aqueduct, Cast iron navigable aqueduct in central Birmingham, England
The Holliday Street Aqueduct is a cast iron structure that carries the Worcester and Birmingham Canal over the street below, with space for both boat passage and pedestrian traffic underneath. Its design includes three separate channels that distribute the weight and water across the span, supported by sturdy iron framework.
The aqueduct was built in 1870 as part of expanding canal networks during the Industrial Revolution, providing a vital link for transporting goods across the growing city. Its construction reflected the engineering advances of the era and the need to adapt waterways to urban development.
The aqueduct represents Victorian engineering excellence through its cast iron construction and remains an essential component of Birmingham's industrial heritage.
The aqueduct is easily accessible from street level and offers clear views from multiple angles, both from underneath the span and from the towpaths above. The surrounding area is well integrated into the city's navigation routes, making it simple to reach on foot or by boat.
In 2015, a hole appeared in the canal bed beneath the structure, requiring the entire section to be temporarily drained for emergency repairs. This incident showed how the original cast iron work has held up remarkably well despite over 140 years of continuous water pressure.
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