HUDDERSFIELD NARROW CANAL
BRIDGES AND AQUEDUCTS
Bridges were built at points where it was necessary to take
a road over the canal, or where a public right of way existed,
or to reconnect fields divided by the cutting of the canal.
The most common design to be seen is a single stone arch,
with the towpath running under it. At the bridging points
the canal narrows in width to save on costs of constructing
the bridges. On most of the bridges it is possible to see
where the towing ropes have worn grooves in the stonework.
When the London and NorthWestern Railway Company took control
of the canal in 1847, numbered bridge plates were fixed to
the underside of all the bridges for easy identification.
Today, none of these can be seen 'in situ', but several are
on view in the Tunnel End visitor centre.
 An
aqueduct is a bridge‑like structure that carries water. There
were originally seven aqueducts on this canal. On the Colne valley
side there are two aqueducts carrying the canal over the River Colne
at Scarbottom (Golcar) and Paddock, and another at Tunnel End which
carries the River Colne over the railway and canal.
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