Accrington Web - View Single Post - Just a question

Owd Bert · 29-02-2004, 10:30

Following on with Tealeaf`s comments about the once proposed Canal from Bury to Accy -- what a picture it conjures up in my mind. Of course the early Canal engineers such as Brindley made every effort to follow the contours to eliminate the need for expensive, and time wasting Locks. A good example is in this area. Look at the distance as the "crow-flies" from Bridge No 114A at Clayton to 108A at Rishton and then trace the actual route as it follows the contour.

However, back to the never built Bury-Accy Link. Had they consulted Brunel in the Mid-1800s ( yes, I know the railways were begining to take goods away from the Canals) just think what he may have proposed. On reaching Baxenden, instead of building umpteen Locks to drop down to about the Nuttall St I could imagine him boldly constructing a super long elevated Aqueduct and a then a mighty tall Barge Lift which would have put the Anderton Lift in the shade.

Had that come about, Accrington would have become the most visited place on the Canal Network and what with our Accy Stanley,Ossy Mills, New Town Centre etc. etc. we would have featured in the World`s Main Tour Guides.

29-02-2004, 10:30	#10
Owd Bert Full Member Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 312 Liked: 1 times Rep Power: 48	Following on with Tealeaf`s comments about the once proposed Canal from Bury to Accy -- what a picture it conjures up in my mind. Of course the early Canal engineers such as Brindley made every effort to follow the contours to eliminate the need for expensive, and time wasting Locks. A good example is in this area. Look at the distance as the "crow-flies" from Bridge No 114A at Clayton to 108A at Rishton and then trace the actual route as it follows the contour. However, back to the never built Bury-Accy Link. Had they consulted Brunel in the Mid-1800s ( yes, I know the railways were begining to take goods away from the Canals) just think what he may have proposed. On reaching Baxenden, instead of building umpteen Locks to drop down to about the Nuttall St I could imagine him boldly constructing a super long elevated Aqueduct and a then a mighty tall Barge Lift which would have put the Anderton Lift in the shade. Had that come about, Accrington would have become the most visited place on the Canal Network and what with our Accy Stanley,Ossy Mills, New Town Centre etc. etc. we would have featured in the World`s Main Tour Guides.