Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Does anybody know the history of any of the bridges in and around Accrington. I played on many of them as a youngster but know relatively little about them. I'm sure some of the older members will have interesting tales to tell. Maybe some of you have pictures of the bridges too that you could post to make the thread more interesting. Please stay on topic and be family friendly.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Yes. I should think that it does.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Mmmm Pilty .. that's interesting, apart from the Viaduct, think all our bridges have been quite small really. Can only think of the following, but perhaps our members may care to add to these:-

Viaduct,
Bull Bridge.
Queens Road Bridge.
Bridge over the canal at Clayton.
Bridge now over the motorway at Clayton.
Rising Bridge:D Is there one actually there ?
Hyndburn Bridge. (Oh no !! will it soon be Accrington and District Bridge, but does run over the river).

Gosh, apart from smallish ones that run over the canal and railway,I'm now stumped. !

Sure we can dig up history on all the above . have been threads on some of them if you search. i.e. talked plenty about Bull Bridge.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

One at the bottom of Dill Hall Lane next to the sports centre . lol, suppose that is why the pub next to it is called the Bridge. What about the pub in Accy called The Bridge, have vague memories of one there too. :confused:

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I remember quite a few along the canal on my old cross country route. Especially the one furthest from the start 'cause I was always shattered by the time I got there and I knew I had the same distance to run again as I had just ran. :(

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

There's the Bridge of Pies, near Baxenden.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Really? Or, are you just being cute?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Caught by the fuzz.

You got me...I'm just too cute.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I must admit that I like the humour! Good one.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

You are something............cute? I don't think so..........:D

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

There was but its now been filled in - it was just after the school where you go round on to rising bridge road or upto the farmers glory.

They filled it in when they built the bypass - it was the old railway lines and they needed a place where to dump the stuff from the new bypass as in meaning the haslingden one not the highway in the sky.

But now we still have a bridge - the highway in the sky going over northfield road.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

There are more bridges in and around the district than you can shake a stick at.

Take a walk up woodnook water or follow the Rive Hyndburn, Ooops sorry, I mean the River Accrington and District and you’ll find a few.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

If you go into the woods late at night, you very often see men playing Pooh Sticks on the bridges.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

No doubt you have bumbed in to a few while out doggin.........:D

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

:eek: So Sorry, I mean when you where out taking the dog for a walk........;) :)

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Do you know any of the history behind them or any stories about them?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

:D ....................

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I remember Fred falling off the Five Arches and rolling at speed down the embankment and falling face first in the woodnook. That was bloody funny. I once fell off the pipe bridge that crossed the lower stretch of woodnook.

Most of the history the bridges will no doubt span from water management to supply water to the reservoirs for use of the Mills, as with the canal Bridges and culverts being of late 18th and 19th century industrial construction. Some of he old District Council built Bridges should have date stones, I would love to know of any pre Industrial Revolution Built Bridges still standing.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

If I'm thinking of the same pipe bridge I've fallen off it too! I remember staying at the hotel in Clayton Le Moors where the guy was killed and dumped under the bridge. I had his room after him. Not that the hotel owners of the time told me that before taking my money LoL.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

the only thing i know about the bridges is the railway viaduct in early 70s, a good mate who i worked with, sadly had a breakdown n jumped off into milnshaw lane. funny how crap like that stays with you.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I feel my age now cashman. That is just about one of my earliest memories. I remember feeling that it was very sad to die like that. I'm genuinely sorry for the loss of your friend.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Also forgot to say this Rising Bridge aint in Hyndburn/Accrington and Districts - its in Rossendale!!!

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

That's a very interesting point. For years I was under the impression it was classed as Hyndburn/Accrington or Baxenden.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Think you used to walk over a bridge on the way up to the old baths and I think there was another further up, one going over the same street near to Howard and Bulloughs ......note I said think , could be wrong about both , also one on Lonsdale st.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

How many times have you driven through Rising Bridge in the last 40 years? Simple reason is just before Hollands on the left hand side (when coming up from Accrington) you will see the sign saying Borough of Rossendale.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I think that may be a little before my time.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Far too many times to count but it's been a few years now. My memoery fades as I age LoL. It does seem to ring a bell though.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Does anybody remember the old swing bridge on the track through Jacksons farm land? Is it still there? I remember spending many a happy hour playing on it with my mates when I was young. Got chased off a few times too! The cops never did have enough sense to send two cars. Whichever way they came we opened the bridge on em and fled the other way.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Was that not the link from Howard and Bulloughs factory to the canteen, as I think the building opposite the factory was the canteen?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I seem to remember there were two there, one above the other one. There were also similar "bridges" on Brown Street and Fountain Street, to link up the various Bulloughs buildings.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

No but, we used to play on that one too until they started locking it closed. This one ran from Jacksons farm(at the top of the hill on Dill Hall Lane(which interestingly started life as Drill Hall Lane on account of the drill hall that used to be near the bottom of the hill!) and what became GEC that I believe is now an industrial park. An unrelated piece of history that pertains to the farm would be that Mr Jackson used to deliver milk by horse and cart. One day while stepping of the cart on the hill of Dill Hall Lane he was struck by Mr Spencer from Spencers bike shop. Mr Spencer crashed his racing bike and, tragically, killed. Both men were nice guys and made contributions both to Accrington and its history.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Can anyone think of any bridges not mentioned? Does anyone have a story about something that happened near one of them?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

No stories pilty,but made a point of counting the bridges I went over/under to work this morning .. tried to grab the dates but, amazingly, the traffice was actually moving. I counted 6 (2 were motorway but they don't really count)
How could I forget the railway bridge at Oswaldtwistle station !!..been held up many times by lorries getting trapped under the 13'9" height (even though think they changed it back from metres, well, did on other bridges anyway in the U.K.)

My childhood was spent collecting and eating the wild rhubarb that grew on the banks of the Queens Road bridge .. how could I do that !! Even was christened 'Rhubarb' by my school friends for years 'cause of this obnoxious obsession .. now I only talk it !! :D

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Yeh, that's what I am probably wrongly calling Queen's Road bridge, although Penny House Lane only runs for about 100 yards off Burnley Road.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Yeh, you correct re the change to Queen's Road, and blooming hek, how could I forget the one near St. Josephs .. just about 50 yards down the track from the 'Penny House Lane' one. Lived between the two .. :rolleyes: The count is growing.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I guess we should also include the footbridge that is the next along the tracks toward the station! Loved it whilst it was fine, hated it in the rain LoL. Many people probably think the same about the footbridge on the station itself huh?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Is anybody keeping count? Would anybody like to keep count? < That would be cool!

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

was still there last summer, used to jump off it onto the coal barges late 50s early 60s n skive a lift to burnley or blackburn, used to jump across to one coming the opposite way to get back home, lovely summer pastime, the Bargees were nearly all characters,had some good laffs. just noticed think yer on the wrong swingbridge? cant drive down jacksons field to the cut- no vehicular acess.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Both bridges have been mentioned. It surprising where you can get a push iron LoL. I've played on both bridges mentioned :D

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I did the same in the early 50s. From Church Kirk Bridge to The power station at Whitebirk and back.
The second swingbridge, now locked, was the main access to the Sewage/Treatment works at Copy Clough (Now defunct).
There was also vehicular access to Park Farm, where I lived and the Dunk.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Been known to use swing bridges for diving ( I know not healthy) into the canal when younger crossing the bridges to what was the old Huncoat pit area etc and those mentioned. Have a question though which is does the Leeds - Liverpool canal cross a bridge or a viaduct in the district?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I'm not sure but I can find out. May take a little time.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

It does in Burnley town centre

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

And while taking a virtual trip along the Leeds Liverpool canal I was reminded that of course if it's water going along it then it's an aquaduct not a viaduct :)

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

You make an excellent point there Dave. In my searches I also found out that it had a strange spelling of AquEduct. Go figure huh? :D There's a beautiful aqueduct on the Lancaster canal too. It has some awesome views. I'm not sure but I think there may be an aqueduct near Skipton too. Still looking will update if I find anything else.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Strangely enought the place I am on about in Yorkshire Street Burnley has always been know to locals as the Culvert. Strange because it actually carries the canal across the street overhead and I always thought Culverts were underneath.

The canal is also carried across the M65 at Gannow by bridge/aquaduct.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I'm almost certain that there are none in the Hyndburn area. I'm still looking for other parts of the canal. This site has some points that are quite interesting > http://www.cottontown.org/page.cfm?p...4&language=eng

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

The Eanam Wharf visitor centre also has a display about the Leeds and Liverpool canal. There address can be found here >>

The Inland Waterways Heritage Network

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

My concise Oxford Dictionary says >> culvert n. a tunnel carrying a stream or open drain under a road or railway. :)

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Has anybody ever heard of the Haslingden Canal?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I didnt even know that they wanted to constuct a canal for connection to Manchester. Learn something new everyday. Only ever been on one Aguaduct and marveled at its construction, though I did come close to taking a dip bike and all when I hit wet cobblestones.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

This seems like an awesome site for anyone that wants to know about canals. The page in the link has a huge amount of info!

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Maybe you were on holiday when they made the decision :p

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I never knew you were that old spuggie! :D

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Errr errrrrmmmm pass and pleading the 5th and anymore that can save me. :p

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Too late! So what's your secret of survivin' to 213 yrs old? ;-)

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Not sure but could make a fortune if it could be bottled and sold. Mind you if I see 90 I will be happy. :D Wonder what the people who built these bridges would think of the ones that we throw up know though?

No I didnt ask em as I was sent to Coventry by um for being a pest. :p

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

The old Railway bridge down Martholme in Great Harwood, We used to use it for practing S.R.T (single rope techniques) and advanced ropework.
Wish I had a pound for every hour I spent installing belay points on it. We used to stand on one side of the bridge and jump off and swing right under the bridge over the river. Was about 100 foot drop. Would not mind doing it again when I get back.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

That's avery interesting point Duncan! Isambaard Kingdom Brunel is one of my heroes. I wonder what he would think of the likes of the millenium bridge, The golden gate and some of the extraordinary long spans that we have today.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Isn't there a aquaduct for the Leeds-Liverpool canal across the M65 near Rishton?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Yes there is Greg

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Yeh, just looked in Shurmer's official guide to 'Hyndburn' ...:D

Seems runs over the motorway between Junction 7 and 6 (whitebirk) .. never really noticed, but will take a good look next time. Never seen any barges floating across either, but maybe the walls are too high ?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Is this the start of a competition? :) I think we'll only see pleasure cruisers these days though. I would have loved to have lived in the days of barges. I was lucky enough to see a horse drawn barge once. Magnificent sight.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Believe me pilty, willow will get there first ... :D

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

that bridge near accrington c.c ;) next to higham's thar one near the bingo hall and glyn web (the curved one) and the one on willows lane and one near brunswick terrace. one near the coves in ossy too.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

The really interesting pictures to have would be those taken inside the Hyndburn River culverts - such as that part running from the Bridge pub, by the market hall and under the Arndale; the bit running under Arnold's/Express gifts and the canal at Church; and the Tinker, as it runs uner the Canal and Blythes. My guess is that all of these are in a better condition than the Broadway pavement.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Was this just a bridge or a tunnel that was filled?

I was wondering if the old manchester train line was above ground all the way or whether it ventured into a tunnel.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Is there not a pub in Blackburn called the Aqueduct ? can't remember where it was though :confused: :confused:

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

we used to go walkabout up the one from bull bridge under the red brick culvert where the old market was built n it came out somewhere in the area past oak street, where the little car parks are now i think, wasn't much to photograph tealeaf occasional rat excepting.where the river stink was visible at bull bridge before it went under the road there was a large pipe ran into it, we explored that one day crawling up etc n it came out at a grate half way up castle street. that was in my cashy the explorer days.;)

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I remember that ... we usually got on the barges under the Whalley Road bridge in Clayton ... I took a little nostalgic trip thro the area on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal web site.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Yes there is and it still going. It is near Ewood Park home of BRFC

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

I know that this bridge is not in Accrington, but it's a wonderful bridge and worth seeing: The Confederation Bridge/Pont de la Confederation crossing 12.9 km of the Northumberland Strait, linking New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Don't know whether you'd class this as a bridge. We called it the Roman Tunnel as kids - takes you under the canal to the Golf course to find 'lost' balls. Think it was called Roman because of the cobbled roof. Apart from the motorway going under the canal between Church and Rishton, I don't know of another bridge / tunnel going under the canal around here.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

whereabouts is that one swingbrig? obviously before the motorway one coming from church end of the cut.:confused:

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

In the book 'An Accrington Mixture' is an essay called 'Bridge that gap' by Les Bond. In it he sets out details of various bridges and undergrounds in the town.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Hi Cashman. This tunnel / bridge can be located by turning down Lower Aspen Lane which is at the side of the Hare and Hounds (West End, Osw) until the canal bridge. Walk along the canal as if to Rishton. After about 300yds or so there is a culvert where a brook goes under the canal. It is private land both sides. As kids we were small enough to take this shortcut through the 'Roman Tunnel' to go through to the cows on the other side (to the left) and the golf 'balls' (to the right). 'Grown ups' had to cross the stone bridge on Lower Aspen Lane. The opening is not much bigger than the one you mentioned at Bullbrig going up toward Castle street. Hope this helps.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

PS There is further reference to the Roman Tunnel in Childhood Summer/Autumn Antics by Westender

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

cheers swingbrig, will have a sneck over xmas, usually get on the cut there.;)

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Sorry for the resurrection, but doesn't really qualify for a new thread, and this was the only one that seemed at all fitting.

Was stood waiting for someone today, at the junction of Bridge Street, and Little Blackburn Road, on the corner of what I still call Garth Dawson's.

The building on the opposire corner, now a music shop, looks like an ordinary Victorian built shop, from the frontage on Little Blackburn Road.

However, the building on Bridge Street, when you look closely, is a rather grand looking, double fronted, three storey building, of perfect symmetry.

What was it?

A pub?

Residential?

Am intrigued now.

Anyone know?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Can't find any reference to this property being a pub, Garinda .. sure our knowledgeable historians will be along to let us know what it was originally. :)

There was one next door on Bridge Street (No 2, I think) .. but don't know what it was called.

There was also a pub/beer house at No. 12 Bridge Street (on the other side further down than Garth Dawson's which is No. 6) called The Jolly Sailor.

Then, of course, there was the one on the corner of Bank Street/Little Blackburn Road, which was The Oddfellows. Is this still the bookies ?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

It would be on Bridge Street. The end gable being on Blackburn Road, and now the music shop front.

If you go on Google Street view you can see it, including an odd, filled in window.

Thanks for trying to satisfy my curiosity. x

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Actually, have been looking at the wrong property (dizzy duck)
.. just noticed you said three storey ... shows on street view No. 1 ?

Don't think Public House, but it is an interesting building.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Duplicate post, sorry.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

It is, isn't it?

Quite imposing.

Never noticed until today.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Think this is in the wrong thread really, but .... I think you mean this corner building, with a clock on the front of the building?

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

That's it.

The side on Bridge Street looks like a three story Victorian town house, with that being the front of the property, and the gable end being the end with the clock, in the photo.

Re: Bridges of Accrington(Historical)
 

Yeh, but around the corner, Atarah, actually on Bridge Street. Could have been all part of the same shop, do you think ?

Damn, Google maps .. why do they have to be all copyright ... or are they .. bit amiguous about this.