Saltaire to Bingley Five-Rise Locks
Just beyond the changeline bridge (see yesterday) is Dowley Gap Locks, a two-rise lock lifting the canal by about 5.6m (18'4").
A short way beyond the locks is Scourer Bridge that carries Primrose Lane over the canal. These original canal bridges, dating to the 1770s, have a very narrow roadway suitable for a horse and cart, not modern vehicles. Thankfully, because it's on a slope, it's relatively easy to see what's at the other side of this one when you're driving! My photo is looking back through the bridge towards the locks.
The Fisherman's Pub sits alongside the canal here, a good pitstop for hikers, cyclists and locals looking for a drink and a meal. It's a popular spot for boaters to moor too. The canal is a bit wider here - what's called a 'winding hole' where boats can turn round. The pub's premises are actually separated from the canal by an old track that leads to some houses (and another old mill, now flats) but there are pub tables on a bit of grass alongside the towpath so it's a nice place to sit and rest.
As the canal wends its way towards Bingley, you pass under Maud's Bridge, a bridge that is actually an aqueduct, carrying water pipes that bring water from reservoirs up in Nidderdale to Bradford's water treatment works at Chellow Heights. (Yes, the same pipe system that crosses the River Wharfe at Bolton Abbey).
Shortly after that, you arrive on the outskirts of Bingley. In 2003, a new road, the Bingley Bypass, was constructed through the valley, to avoid all the traffic having to pass along the main street through the town centre, which up to then was a real bottleneck. Unlike many bypasses, it doesn't skirt the town, but goes through the middle at a lower level, squeezed between the railway and the canal. To build it they had to shift the canal over in some parts, as well as build new bridges. It was a huge engineering challenge, but gradually these things 'bed in' and you forget what it all looked like before.
My photo below shows one of the slip roads that runs down from the town centre and allows traffic to join the bypass. The new bridge carries Ferncliffe Road over the canal.
Love seeing your canal, boats, locks, paths and bridges. Was thinking how do people who live on the boats get fresh water and what kind of plumbing for waste might they have. These are so interesting to see and consider how you walk along from one site to another.
ReplyDeleteYou have to be organised. There are water points and waste disposal points at certain locations, where tanks can be emptied and filled.
DeleteI love those old bridges that cross the canals.
ReplyDelete