Canal Bridges

 

Canal Bridges is a set of 20 pictures I took that shows a variety of Canal Bridges taken at various locations and on differing canals in the UK and Italy. They can also be seen on Clickasnap un-watermarked.

Bridge 199 on the Leeds - Liverpool Canal near Bingley. Taken with a Nikon d3300 on

the 9th July 2016.

Long Cut End Viaduct over the Calder and Hebble Navigation at Thornhill Nr Dewsbury. I took this with a Nikon d3300 on the 30th December 2019.

Bridge 59 on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, taken with a Nikon d3300 on the 25th July 2020 somewhere between Slaithwaite and Marsden.

The Calder and Hebble Navigation underneath the M62 at Brighouse. Taken on the 30th March 2019 with a Nikon d3300.

Gauxholme Viaduct carries the railway over the Rochdale Canal between Todmorden and Hebden Bridge, I took this with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet on the 14th November 2013.

Concrete Pipe Bridge on the Rochdale Canal, I can't remember the exact location only it was somewhere between Littleborough and Walsden on the Rochdale Canal. Taken with a Polaroid is2132 on the 31st May 2014.

Hollins Mill Tunnel and the Rochdale Canal, Sowerby Bridge, taken with a Nikon d3300 on the 16th December 2018.

Not sure what the bridge is, but i took this on the Tennant Canal near Neath with a Nikon d3300 on the 20th September 2017.

Accademia Bridge over the Grand Canal, Venice, Italy, taken with a Nikon d3300 on the 30th October 2018.

Disused as a canal crossing for decades the bridge used to cross the Calder and Hebble Navigation Halifax Branch near Siddal, Halifax. I took this in June 2015 with a Polaroid is2132 on the Hebble Trail.

Bridge 54 on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, taken on the 25th July 2020 with a Nikon d3300.

Co-op Bridge steps at Sowerby Bridge, crossers the Rochdale Canal. I took this with a IPhone 11 on the 26th September 2021.

Bridge 52 on the Rochdale Canal at Smithy Bridge. I took this on the 27th December 2019 with a Nikon d3300.

Longbottom (Tenterfields) Bridge over the Rochdale Canal, taken with a Nikon d3300 on the 16th December 2018.

Bridge 34 over the Rochdale Canal at Walsden, St Peter's Church Spire is viewed in the background. I took this with a Nikon d3300 on the 27th August 2019.

Brighouse Marina Footbridge, taken from underneath Huddersfield Road Bridge on the Calder and Hebble Navigation. I took this on the 4th August 2018 with a Nikon d3300.

Bridge 62 over the Huddersfield Narrow Canal at Marsden, taken with a Nikon d3300 on the 25th July 2020.

Wakefield Road Bridge at Salterhebble Locks, the bridge crossers the remaining section of the Halifax Branch Canal. Taken on the 22nd May 2018 with a Nikon d3300.

Moderna Bridge over the Rochdale Canal at Mytholmroyd, I took this with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet on the 2nd November 2013.

Wheatley Bridge over the Calder and Hebble Navigation, taken with a Polaroid is2132 on the 18th April 2015.

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12 of these pictures are now featured in a calendar of canal bridges which can be purchased from Zazzle, click the picture to view, link will open in another window.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

The Rochdale Canal from Lock 2 to Bridge 1A

 The Rochdale Canal is one of my favourites to photograph and the section pictured in this post is near my house so I pass it quite often. The stretch from Sowerby Bridge Lock 2 to Bridge 1A is short section but passes through probably the most expensive to build part of the canal, Tuel Lane lock and Tunnel.

The Rochdale Canal was closed in 1952 and the section from bridge 1A Tower Hill to a spot between lock 2 and the Tuel lane Tunnel was infilled, A car park covering the section near the bridge and a grass embankment the tunnel entrance down from Wharf Street, the remaining section was covered by the new Tuel Lane - Wharf Street Junction. This saw the loss of a canal bridge carrying Wharf Street and 2 locks in this section of closed canal.

In the early 1990's work started to reopen this section of the Rochdale Canal with a tunnel under the new Tuel Lane -Wharf Street Junction and a new Lock 3/4 replacing the 2 locks lost when the canal closed. When the works was completed and canal reopened in April 1996 (officially May), lock 3/4 was now the deepest inland lock in the UK at a depth of 19ft 8inches, because of this the lock is manned and controlled by the lock keeper. Boats wishing to use the lock from the Sowerby Bridge Wharf side must get permission before entering Tuel Lane Tunnel, this is due to when the lock empties the waters can cause extreme turbulence inside the tunnel.

During the construction of Tuel Lane tunnel the old Wharf Street Canal Bridge was found to still be intact underneath the road, I believe this although strengthened is still visible just inside the tunnel mouth. Originally the bridge exited near to where the modern day traffic lights are situated between the Commercial Inn and Christ Church, the tunnel now stretchers for approx 340ft.

These pictures were taken on April 10th 2022 using a Nikon d3300SLR camera. They can be seen below and on Clickasnap full size, resolution and un-watermarked.

The original Wharf Street bridge can just be seen inside the tunnel.

The former Jolly Sailor Pub (closed 1939). The Building was once the caretakers residence
for Lock Hill Mills. The part of the mill that stood alongside was demolished
in the late 1990's, the red brick part of Lock Hill Mills still stands on the southern bank
of the River Calder. The Jolly Sailor is now a set of apartments.

The canal pictured from Wharf Street in the direction of Lock 2. The building to the left
is the Roxy a local nightspot thats started life as the Electric Cinema around the time
of World War 1. The cinema closed in 1963 and became a bingo and cafe, before eventually
becoming a nightclub - bar.

A view of Tuel Lane Lock and Christ Church Tower. I was just trying to get a different angle
of the lock and down in to the tunnel, taken from the LIDL supermarket car park.

Tuel Lane Tunnel entrance in to the lock.

Tuel Lane Lock, which is lock 3/4 on the Rochdale Canal replaced 2 locks on this
section of canal, lock 4 would have been just behind where I am stood, lock 3 was on the bend inside
the tunnel just in front of the church tower. These were infilled along with this section of canal after
closure in 1952. This was a car park with a disused theatre to my right when I was growing up 

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Dixie Tunnel and Woods, Sowerby Bridge 2013

 Dixie woods is a woodland that climbs from the Calder Valley in the direction of Sowerby Townships from Hollins Mills Lane, Sowerby Bridge, before ending alongside Sowerby Bridge Cemetery. It's proper given name is Dixon Scar Woods but most local people refer to it as Dixie Woods, towards the bottom of the woods flows the River Calder and it is home to Sowerby Bridge Cricket Club, a former cycle oval, football pitch and playing fields. The woodland has a number of footpaths, some leading in the direction of Sowerby, and others in the direction of Sowerby Bridge and one that follows alongside the river in the direction of Tenterfields.

Underneath the woodland runs Dixie Tunnel, its official name is Sowerby Tunnel, but is also referred to as Sowerby Tunnel and Long Tunnel. It was opened in 1840 and is approx. 657yds long leaving the industrial town setting of Sowerby Bridge at its eastern portal before emerging westerly in a rural environment.

The path that runs from Dixie Woods to Tenterfields. The River Calder seen on the left.

Dixie Woods looking in the direction of Sowerby Bridge from Friendly. The Rochdale Canal,
Ladstone and Houghton Towers all visible in the picture.

Dixie Woods pictured from Friendly, the Rochdale Canal running across the bottom.

Path through Dixie Woods away from the tunnel portal. The River Calder can be seen
at the valley bottom.

I've looked a number of times since I took this picture but never found this face again.

The following 2 pictures were taken at the western portal (Tenterfields) of the tunnel. On the day there were no trains running, I was with other people (safety in numbers), was in full railway safety gear, and had permission to be there. Please under no circumstances attempt to access a working railway line, even though lines of sight may give confidence you'll be safe, trains move fast and can approach unknowingly if attention is not being given.

These pictures were taken on various dates in 2013 using a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, they can also be seen un-watermarked, full size and resolution on Clickasnap by clicking the image.

Thanks for looking and please take a moment to share and follow me on social media.

All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel: A Deep Dive into Rochdale Canal's History

Nestled near the starting point of the Rochdale Canal in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, lies an impressive feat of engineering: Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel. Opened in May 1996, this lock isn't just a vital part of the canal's navigation; it's also the deepest lock in the entire United Kingdom, boasting an astounding fall of 19 feet 8 inches!

But the story of Tuel Lane goes much deeper than its modern marvel. Originally, the canal flowed beneath a charming canal bridge, still visible just inside the mouth of the present-day Tuel Lane Tunnel. From there, it continued openly to Lock 3, situated alongside Christ Church and the local pub where Tuel Lane Road and the car park entrance now meet. Lock 4 was then located between this original lock and Bridge 1a at Tower Hill.

Sadly, these earlier sections of the canal and its locks were lost sometime in the 1940s or 50s. Tuel Lane was diverted and widened to its current configuration, and the canal and its locks were infilled to create the car park we see today.

Thankfully, the dream of a fully restored Rochdale Canal never truly faded. The formation of the Rochdale Canal Society in 1974 brought the canal's future into sharper focus. A pivotal 1991 report highlighting the benefits of restoration eventually led to a significant grant of £2.5 million from derelict land grants, paving the way for the reopening of Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel.

For those eager to delve further into the history of this remarkable section of the canal, I highly recommend checking out my previous blog post from November 19, 2017. That post features a fascinating collection of pictures of the lock, canal, and tunnel from before their closure and prior to their reopening. These images, though not my own and credited where possible to the copyright holder, offer an incredible glimpse into the canal's past.

The pictures accompanying this post, however, are my own, captured in June 2014 using a Polaroid is2132 bridge camera. They showcase the section of the Rochdale Canal between Bridge 1a Tower Hill and Lock 2, passing by the impressive Tuel Lane Tunnel and Lock. I hope they inspire you to explore this historically rich and visually stunning part of our local waterways!

Clicking any of the images below should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

Rochdale Canal towards Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel, pictured from
under Bridge 1a Tower Hill.

The Rochdale Canal close to where Lock 4 was
originally sighted.

Tuel Lane Lock

Rochdale Canal away from Tuel Lane Lock towards Bridge 1a
Tower Hill. Lock 4 was sighted somewhere along this stretch.

Tuel Lane Lock, the lock keepers office is sighted to the right
of the picture.

Tuel Lane Tunnel looking down from the lock.

The lock gates give an idea of the depth of the lock.

Tuel Lane Tunnel from the other side, the original bridge that 
carried Wharf Street is just inside the tunnel mouth and the 
same shape and style as it's modern entrance.

Lock 2 towards Tuel Lane Tunnel entrance.

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All the pictures remain the copyright of Colin Green.

Sowerby Bridge: A Photographer's Early Journey Through a Historic Town

 My photographic journey truly began in 2013, sparked by a holiday to Lanzarote. Upon my return, I started exploring my local area with fresh eyes, and naturally, my hometown of Sowerby Bridge became my primary subject.

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A Glimpse into Sowerby Bridge's Past

Sowerby Bridge is a bustling market town nestled in Calderdale, West Yorkshire. Its origins are deeply rooted in the confluence of the Rivers Calder and Ryburn, where a ford once stood, eventually replaced by the bridge that gave the town its name. The Industrial Revolution marked a period of significant growth for Sowerby Bridge. The rivers, along with numerous streams and inlets, provided the power for the textile and engineering mills that sprang up along their banks. The town became an urban district in 1894 and later merged into the Metropolitan Borough of Calderdale in 1974.

The town's waterways are particularly notable. Sowerby Bridge is the junction point of the Calder and Hebble Navigation Canal, opened in 1770, and the Rochdale Canal, which opened in 1804. While the Calder and Hebble has remained open since its completion, the Rochdale Canal faced closure in 1952, with its last full journey from Sowerby Bridge occurring in 1937. A section of the canal was even infilled and converted into a road (Tuel Lane) and a car park before being gloriously reopened in 1996.

The railway also played a crucial role in Sowerby Bridge's development, arriving in 1840 with the opening of its first station. This station, located near the current Tesco, was replaced in 1876 by the present-day station, strategically moved in anticipation of the new Rishworth Branch Line.

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Overcoming Challenges and Looking to the Future

Following the departure of textile and engineering companies, Sowerby Bridge experienced a period of decline. The town's hilly terrain and lack of flat land proved unsuitable for modern industrial development. By the late 1970s, many businesses had left, leading to various regeneration efforts. These included the establishment of a canoe club on the River Calder, the vital restoration of the Rochdale Canal and its wharf area, and the large-scale conversion of former mills into apartments and smaller, more suitable industrial units.

While significantly improved since the 1980s, Sowerby Bridge still grapples with challenges, including persistent traffic congestion and a scarcity of shops to attract visitors. Despite these hurdles, the canals remain a central feature of the town, and the annual Rushbearing festival brings much-needed tourism, though its popularity has waned in recent years.

The pictures I captured around Sowerby Bridge in 2013, all taken with a Samsung Galaxy Tablet, formed the basis of an early YouTube video, marking the true beginning of my photographic exploration.

Sowerby Bridge Station

The Canal Basin

Scar Head Tunnel Portal, on the closed Rishworth Branch Line.

Jubilee Refreshment Rooms, formerly Sowerby Bridge Station ticket office

The Subway at Sowerby Bridge Station. The bricked up portal used to run under long since removed lines and into the former station building which was damaged by fire and demolished around 1980.

Willow Hall Dam, this was taken on Boxing Day 2013, the bench is no longer their.

Winton Mill

The former Coal Drops

Willow Hall Dam

The Navigation Inn

The Rochdale Canal from Co-Op Bridge

The tunnel to the east of Sowerby Bridge is known by a few different names, the most popular being Dixy, Cemetery or Sowerby Tunnel. 

County Bridge, the bridge that gives the town it's name. A much older bridge can be seen underneath, which has been largely covered due to road widening.

Sowerby Bridge Cemetery

Carlton Mill Chimney

Clicking any image should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

Please take a moment to share this post, follow me on social media, and explore my work on Clickasnap and Photo4Me using the links below. Your support means a lot!

All the pictures and video remain the copyright of Colin Green.