Stretton Aqueduct

Stretton Aqueduct

Stretton Aqueduct carrying the Shropshire Union Canal over the A5. The inscription in the centre panel reads: "Birmingham and Liverpool Canal Thos. Telford F.R.S.I.& E. Engineer 1832"
Coordinates 52°41′39″N 2°11′22″W / 52.694267°N 2.189412°WCoordinates: 52°41′39″N 2°11′22″W / 52.694267°N 2.189412°W
Conduit width 21 feet (6.4 m)
Construction began 1832
Opening date 1833
Stretton Aqueduct from the canal

Stretton Aqueduct is a short cast iron[1][2] canal aqueduct between Stretton and Brewood, and near to Belvide Reservoir, in south Staffordshire, England. Designed by Thomas Telford[2] and bearing his name plus its date of construction, 1832,[2][3] it carries the Shropshire Union Canal (formerly the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal) 30 feet (9.1 m) over Telford's A5 road[1] at a skewed angle.[2]

The aqueduct has five sections, each 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) long, held together by bolts and supported by six cast iron arch ribs, each in two sections and joined at the centre of the arch.[2] It was cast by William Hazledine of Shrewsbury.[2] The trough is 21 feet (6.4 m) wide with an 11 feet (3.4 m) wide channel of water and a towpath on either side.[2] The Staffordshire blue brick abutments have stone dressings.[3]

During 1961-62, the road under the aqueduct was lowered by about 4 feet (1.2 m) to allow taller vehicles to pass underneath.[2]

It was one of Telford's last aqueducts[4] and has been grade II listed since 1985.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Four counties & the Welsh canals. (New ed. ed.). London :: Nicholson,. 2006. pp. 184 p. : col. ill., col. maps ; 21 cm. ISBN 978-0-00-721112-8.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Cragg, Roger (1997). Wales and west central England. Civil Eginneeering Heritage (2 ed.). Institution of Civil Engineers. pp. 207–8. ISBN 0-7277-2576-9. Retrieved 2009-08-09.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Historic England. "Stretton Aqueduct - Grade II Listed (271397)". Images of England.
  4. ↑ "Focus on Aqueducts". Images of England: News. English Heritage. 2009-08-09. Retrieved 2009-08-09.