IT is one of the wonders of the British waterways, considered a major feat of Victorian civil engineering – but it acts as a barrier to pedestrians and cyclists.
Running from Runcorn to Leigh, Bridgewater Way comes to a sudden stop at the Barton Swing Aqueduct, creating a border between Salford and Trafford.
Where the water continues to flow through the canal, the towpath terminates.
Plans to reinstate the Bridgewater Way towpath at Barton Swing Aqueduct. Credit: Peel L&P. Caption: Joseph Timan. Permission for use for all LDRS partners.
But developer Peel, which owns the path, could reinstate the ‘missing link’ over the Manchester Ship Canal, completing a seamless 20-mile traffic-free route.
The elevated path for pedestrians and cyclists would pass through the swing aqueduct, with new ramps connecting Chapel Place to Upper Pocket Park.
Peter Parkinson, director of the Bridgewater Canal, part of Peel L&P, said the company was preparing a planning application for the project earlier this year.
He said: “There have been ambitions to deliver improvements to Barton Aqueduct and reinstate the elevated walkway for a number of years, so we’re thrilled to be bringing the plans forward to improve the area for walkers, runners and cyclists.”
Plans to reinstate the Bridgewater Way towpath at Barton Swing Aqueduct. Credit: Peel L&P. Caption: Joseph Timan. Permission for use for all LDRS partners.
Built in 1894, the Barton Swing Aqueduct is the first and only swing aqueduct in the world, carrying the Bridgewater Canal over the Manchester Ship Canal.
Together with the Barton Road Swing Bridge, the aqueduct sits on a pivot which is mounted on a manmade island, allowing large ships to pass below.
Narrowboats and barges on the Bridgewater Canal continue to pass over the aqueduct to this day, but the towpath was removed in the 1980s due to health and safety concerns, forcing walkers, runners and cyclists onto the roads.
The project to reinstate the raised towpath along the Grade II listed aqueduct has secured £4.8m from the Greater Manchester Mayor’s Challenge Fund.
Plans to reinstate the Bridgewater Way towpath at Barton Swing Aqueduct. Credit: Peel L&P. Caption: Joseph Timan. Permission for use for all LDRS partners.
A planning application, which was submitted to Salford and Trafford councils last week, promises the design will ‘help to create a new destination that has its own identity and reflects the site’s heritage and unique character’.
The new ‘accessible’ pedestrian and cycle route, named the Barton Aqueduct Green Link, would be three metres in width, except for when it passes through the swing aqueduct where the width would be reduced to two metres.
To allow for construction several trees in Chapel Place would be removed, but new tree planting and wildflower seeding is proposed as part of the plans.
Five large trees which require removal would be replaced at a ratio of 2:1.
If the plans are approved, people will be able to walk and cycle along a 20-mile stretch of the canal from Wigan through Salford and Manchester to Trafford.
Work is forecast to start by winter 2021, pending approval by both local authorities.
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