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Manchester, Bolton & Bury Canal
Towing Path Guide
Smithy Bridge
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| A-Z 47 F2 |
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| Access from Radcliffe Road |
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The original masonry arch bridge built at the same time as the canal, was demolished and rebuilt in 1930. The new bridge was constructed much wider than the original arch bridge to accommodate two lanes of traffic with masonry abutments and a “filler joist” deck constructed from rolled steel joists encased in concrete. |
| In 1998 a detailed inspection and structural assessment of the old canal bridge that carries Radcliffe Road (B6209) over the former Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal was carried out and revealed that the concrete encasing the steel beams was very weak and badly spalled. The steel "filler joists" were also only capable of safely carrying vehicles up to 7.5 tonnes gross weight and since 1998 the bridge has had a 7.5 tonne weight limit imposed on it. |
| The weight limit was causing significant disruption to the movement of heavy goods vehicles and therefore, was detracting from the commercial wellbeing of the area. It is understood that the Bolton Council considered several options to overcome the weight limit including demolition and strengthening as well as infilling. The decision to infill provided the most cost effective solution with minimum disruption to traffic and minimum disturbance to residents in the area. |
| The bridge has been infilled using lightweight foamed concrete following the removal of previously tipped material. The original canal construction and lining has been left intact should the canal be restored allowing the easy removal of the foamed concrete. |
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