Barton Swing Aqueduct

53.4748 - 2.3521Koordinaten: 53 ° 28 ' 29 " N, 2 ° 21' 8 " W

The Barton Swing Aqueduct is a moveable navigable trough bridge in Barton- upon- Irwell (City of Salford ) in Greater Manchester, England. The bridge carries the Bridgewater Canal over the Manchester Ship Canal. The mobility of the bridge ensures that larger ships can take on the Manchester Ship Canal and the Bridgewater Canal Narrowboats can continue to use. The aqueduct was not only the first but also remained the only moving in the world. Designed by Sir Edward Leader Williams and built by Andrew Handyside and Company, the building was opened in 1894 and is still regularly in use.

History

The Barton Swing Aqueduct replaced the older Barton Aqueduct, which crossed the Irwell. This first aqueduct was built of stone and designed by James Brindley. It was inaugurated in 1761.

The construction of the Manchester Ship Canal made ​​a new building necessary because the ships to navigate this channel would not fit under the old aqueduct through. A plan to solve the problem with locks, was discarded because it was anxious to save water in the Bridgewater Canal.

The new aqueduct was designed by the engineer of the Manchester Ship Canal Company Edward Leader Williams and built by Andrew Handyside. The first boat could pass the new aqueduct on 21 August 1893. The regular operation of the bridge was recorded on January 1, 1894. The aqueduct is a Grade II protected cultural monument.

Operation

The aqueduct is a swing bridge. When closed, the bridge allows the ride on the Bridgewater Canal. If large ships on the Manchester Ship Canal to pass, the 1450 -ton, 100 -meter long trough is rotated by 90 degrees. The pivot point is located on a small purpose-built for this purpose island in the Manchester Ship Canal. A goal at each end of the trough holds 800 tons of water in the trough and more goals on both sides of the channel prevent its leakage. Originally a towpath along the bridge was suspended, but this was dismantled for safety reasons.

In the immediate vicinity of the aqueduct, the Barton Road Swing Bridge, which allows a road link between Trafford and Salford is located.

Both bridges are moved from a tower on the island in the channel. In the opened state, both bridges are parallel to the island and allow vessels to pass on both sides of the island.