Like the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, the Rochdale is a trans-Pennine route and therefore climbs to a great height, with many locks - in fact, 91 along its 32 mile length. It stretches from Manchester to Sowerby Bridge (where it joins the Calder and Hebble Navigation). It was designed to facilitate the transport of goods between the industrial heartland of Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Manchester docks. It opened in stages between 1798 and 1804. By the 1930s, it was in trouble and it finally closed, unusable, in the 1960s. After many threats to build roads and buildings over it, leading to the formation of various pressure groups and many local fights, it was gradually reopened in stages, until in 2002 the whole length was once again navigable. Like the Leeds-Liverpool, its viability is still fragile owing to issues with water supply, lack of funding and deterioration of the structure and the locks. Who knows what will happen to these brave reminders of our industrial past? Personally, I love the scenery and stories of our canals and fervently hope they will continue for boaters and walkers to enjoy.
A buddha on a boat struck me as very 'Hebden Bridge'. It's long been an 'alternative' place, beloved of hippies, arty types and those in search of a certain kind of freedom and peace.
No comments:
Post a Comment