Stretton Aqueduct

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 the A5 road[1] at a skewed angle.[2]

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.L.& E. Engineer 1832"
Coordinates52.694267°N 2.189412°W / 52.694267; -2.189412
Heritage statusGrade II
Characteristics
Width21 feet (6.4 m)
History
Construction start1832 (1832)
Opened1835
Stretton Aqueduct from the canal

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]

See also

References
  1. Four counties & the Welsh canals (New ed.). London: Nicholson. 2006. pp. 184 p. : col. ill., col. maps, 21 cm. ISBN 978-0-00-721112-8.
  2. Cragg, Roger (1997). Wales and west central England. Civil Engineering Heritage (2 ed.). Institution of Civil Engineers. pp. 207–8. ISBN 0-7277-2576-9. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  3. Historic England. "Stretton Aqueduct - Grade II Listed (1039347)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
  4. "Focus on Aqueducts". Images of England: News. English Heritage. 9 August 2009. Archived from the original on 29 April 2010. Retrieved 9 August 2009.
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