Like in so many valleys, the canal and railway engineers took a similar line, usually at the narrowest crossing.
Like in so many valleys, the canal and railway engineers took a similar line, usually at the narrowest crossing.
Portland Basin, at the junction, is the home of the Social & Industrial History Museum, at which the Wooden Canal Boat Society is based. They specialise in the preservation of wooden working boats.
During the restoration work on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, as in so many restoration projects, sections had to be re-cut or moved from their original line. Often the landscaping includes supermarkets, who have realised that there is a market from the waterborne traffic.
By placing "planters" in the water, the landscapers hope to encourage natural growth and wildlife - it suits the ducks too!
This aqueduct was built to replace Brindley's original stone bridge (a first at its time) over the River Irwell when the Manchester Ship Canal was built, making this the first swing aqueduct built.
