Isolated in a farmer's field around 100m South of the junction between the M61 & M65 lies a forgotten accommodation bridge which used to have the Walton summit canal branch running beneath it. The bridge is in a rather sorry state despite it's grade 2 listing.
The Walton summit branch, a 3 mile stretch which ran from Whittle-le-woods to Walton Summit, has been out of use since the 1930's. For 30 years or so after this the canal survived, but the construction of the M61 motorway signalled the end of the canal branch and it was filled in whilst the motorway was completed.
There are a few reminders of the canal which was so well used for over 100 years between the 19th and 20th century, and Summit Bridge is one of them. With it's grade 2 listed status, it looks as though it will be around for a while yet.
The filled in canal bed, the fence which separates the M61 and the field can be seen in the background.
Taken from the rather soggy canal bed, with plenty of litter, rubble and dead animals to keep me company.
The bridge may be In the middle of a field, but it used to sit only a couple of hundred metres away from Brindle Service Reservoir on Pippin Street. Unfortunately, that brick vaulted reservoir has now been demolished. Leaving this bridge the only interesting thing in the close vicinity.
Apologies for the picture quality, the photos were taken with my camera phone.
Thanks for looking!
The Walton summit branch, a 3 mile stretch which ran from Whittle-le-woods to Walton Summit, has been out of use since the 1930's. For 30 years or so after this the canal survived, but the construction of the M61 motorway signalled the end of the canal branch and it was filled in whilst the motorway was completed.
There are a few reminders of the canal which was so well used for over 100 years between the 19th and 20th century, and Summit Bridge is one of them. With it's grade 2 listed status, it looks as though it will be around for a while yet.
The filled in canal bed, the fence which separates the M61 and the field can be seen in the background.
Taken from the rather soggy canal bed, with plenty of litter, rubble and dead animals to keep me company.
The bridge may be In the middle of a field, but it used to sit only a couple of hundred metres away from Brindle Service Reservoir on Pippin Street. Unfortunately, that brick vaulted reservoir has now been demolished. Leaving this bridge the only interesting thing in the close vicinity.
Apologies for the picture quality, the photos were taken with my camera phone.
Thanks for looking!
. Keep up the good work !
