Peak Forest Canal (14¾m), Whaley Bridge Branch (½m). Built primarily to bring limestone from the quarries near Dove Holes, though the last few miles from the transhipment wharves at Bugsworth (Buxworth) were by tramroads. The line extended from just south of Dunkinfield Aqueduct, at a bend in a short arm of the Aston Canal, to Bugsworth Basin with an arm to Whaley Bridge that connected to the Cromford and High Peak Railway. Now it is more conventional to consider that the main arm runs from the main line of the Ashton to Whaley bridge with an arm to Bugsworth Basin.
North portal of Woodley Tunnel. July 1975
153m long tunnel with towpath. Grid Ref: SJ 9359 9219 [PF-008-540]North portal of Woodley Tunnel. July 1975
The western end of Hyde Bank Tunnel. 04 July 1959
Grid Ref: SJ 9465 9041 [PF-011-440]. The tunnel is 308 yds long with no towpath.The western end of Hyde Bank Tunnel. 04 July 1959
East Portal of Hyde Bank Tunnel. July 1975
285m long tunnel with no towpath. Grid Ref: SJ 9490 9026 [PF-011-730]East Portal of Hyde Bank Tunnel. July 1975
Rose Hill Tunnel. June 1975
The 91m long tunnel was opened out in the mid 1900s after the roof had collapsed. Grid Ref: SJ 9537 9010 [PF-012-230]Rose Hill Tunnel. June 1975
Approach to Marple Aqueduct from the west. June 1975
Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]. Sheffield an Midland Joint Railway Viaduct and Bridge 15A in the background.Approach to Marple Aqueduct from the west. June 1975
Marple Aqueduct. August 1970
Outram's aqueduct viewed from the adjacent railway viaduct. Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]Marple Aqueduct. August 1970
Marple Aqueduct. Out of water. 1962-63
The damaged section of the spandrel wall can (just) be seen on the right-hand side of the viaduct, about half way along. The Society's own publication on the Peak Forest Canal (Grahame Boyes and Brian Lamb, The Peak Forest Canal: An Engineering and Business History, 2012, pp181-3) deals with the aqueduct's collapse and subsequent scheduling and restoration: 'on the night of 9 January 1962 the outer face of the north-east arch (the non-towpath side at the Marple end) was found to have collapsed. Stop planks were placed across each end of the aqueduct, which was then drained and a temporary pipe laid across to maintain the water supply. Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]. In the distance is Romiley Bridge, all that remains of the 91 metre long Rose Hill Tunnel.Marple Aqueduct. Out of water. 1962-63
Marple Aqueduct. Damage to the Spandrel Wall. 1962-63
A lack of maintenance in the first half of the 20th century led to water seeping into the puddling and stonework of the aqueduct and, during the very cold winter of 1961/62, freezing and thawing of the water resulted in the outer face of the north-east arch collapsing into the river below. On 09 January 1962, some 30 feet of the wall fell and further damage occurred during the winter of 1962/63, which was colder still. There was a strong movement from the BWB, and local politicians, at the time to demolish the viaduct but in the end it was repaired and was a major factor in the reopening on the Peak Forest Canal. Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]Marple Aqueduct. Damage to the Spandrel Wall. 1962-63
Marple Aqueduct. Circular opening in the spandrel wall. Winter 1962-63
A feature of all three spans, employed to reduce weight. Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]Marple Aqueduct. Circular opening in the spandrel wall. Winter 1962-63
Marple Aqueduct. Kayaks & Rowing Boats on the canal.
Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]. Not dated but the kayaks suggest 1960sMarple Aqueduct. Kayaks & Rowing Boats on the canal.
Marple Aqueduct. Decrepit boat coming off the Aqueduct
Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]Marple Aqueduct. Decrepit boat coming off the Aqueduct
Peak Forest Canal. Marple Aqueduct. November 2018
Marple Aqueduct with the Sheffield and Midland Joint Railway viaduct in the background. Taken shortly after the safety fence on the off-side was added. Ther is no towpath on that side but it used to be sport for local youths to jump across the water. Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]Peak Forest Canal. Marple Aqueduct. November 2018
Peak Forest Canal (Lower). Marple Viaduct & Aqueduct. 10 October 1982
Peak Forest Canal (Lower). Marple Viaduct & Aqueduct. 10 October 1982
Marple Viaduct & Aqueduct. 10 October 1982
Looking north to the Goyt Valley through the Sheffield and Midland Joint Railway viaduct. Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]Marple Viaduct & Aqueduct. 10 October 1982
Piers of Marple Aqueduct and Viaduct. June 1975
Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]. Viewed from the River GoytPiers of Marple Aqueduct and Viaduct. June 1975
Marple aqueduct. July 1974
Picture taken from the side of the River Goyt showing the lightening holes in the structure and the anchors for the bracing bars added to the structure to strengthen it. Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]Marple aqueduct. July 1974
Marple Aqueduct from the banks of the River Goyt, June 1975
Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]Marple Aqueduct from the banks of the River Goyt, June 1975
Marple Aqueduct. October 2006 or April 2007
Narrowboat "Ripple" crossing Marple Aqueduct. Grid Ref: SJ 9552 9005 [PF-012-390]. Ian and Patrick Moss on deck. Note lack of fence on the offside, this was added some years later. Photo taken by Ian's Sister-in-Law, Vera YoungMarple Aqueduct. October 2006 or April 2007
Railway bridge between Marple Bottom Lock and Marple Aqueduct
Railway bridge between Marple Bottom Lock and Marple Aqueduct
Railway bridge 15B between Marple Aqueduct and Marple Bottom Lock (No 1). 22 June 1986
Ashton Packet Boat Co's boat is turning. Grid Ref: SJ 9566 9004 [PF-012-530]Railway bridge 15B between Marple Aqueduct and Marple Bottom Lock (No 1). 22 June 1986
Great Central Railway notice at Marple
Location not specified but likely to be at Bridge 16: Bottom Lock Bridge. Grid Ref: SJ 9573 9004 [PF-012-600]Great Central Railway notice at Marple
"Russwell VIII" between Marple Locks 6 & 7. 10 October 1982
Grid Ref: SJ 9614 8941 [PF-013-440]"Russwell VIII" between Marple Locks 6 & 7. 10 October 1982
Looking down the Marple Flight from the Tail Bridge of Lock 7. June 1975
Grid Ref: SJ 9614 8938 [PF-013-470]Looking down the Marple Flight from the Tail Bridge of Lock 7. June 1975
Marple Lock 9. July 1974
Grid Ref: SJ 9621 8910 [PF-013-770]. Viewed from Bridge No.17: Brabyns BrowMarple Lock 9. July 1974
Oldknow’s Warehouse, Marple. 22 June 1986
On the opposite side of Lock 9 pound to the lock-keeper's cottage stands Samuel Oldknow's canal warehouse. Oldknow was a principal player in the construction of the canal and a huge influence on the area. Grid Ref: SJ 9621 8902 [PF-013-840]Oldknow’s Warehouse, Marple. 22 June 1986
Samuel Oldkowns Warehouse, Marple. July 1974
Now called as Lockside Mill [sic]. Grid Ref: SJ 9621 8902 [PF-013-840]Samuel Oldkowns Warehouse, Marple. July 1974
Samuel Oldkowns Warehouse, Marple.
With the canal drained showing the entrance to the enclosed dock. Sign reads "Beard & Cornall Ltd. Lockside Works" but is now called "Lockside Mill". Grid Ref: SJ 9621 8902 [PF-013-840].Samuel Oldkowns Warehouse, Marple.
Looking down the Marple Flight from Lock 11 Tail Bridge. July 1974
Grid Ref: SJ 9619 8890 [PF-013-970]Looking down the Marple Flight from Lock 11 Tail Bridge. July 1974
Lock 12 Tail Bridge, Marple. July 1974
The tail bridges on the flight seem to be somewhat over engineered for the purpose. Grid Ref: SJ 9614 8877 [PF-014-100]Lock 12 Tail Bridge, Marple. July 1974
Horse path and tunnel under Stockport Road, Marple
Lock 13 is to the right. Bridge 18 is known as Posset Bridge, reportedly as the builders were offered a posset of ale if they completed it on time. It has arches over the main line of the canal and a now filled in arm leading via a short tramway to the bottom of the lime kilns above Lock 16. Limestone could therefore be loaded into the top of the kilns from boats from Bugsworth Basin and the lime taken out at the bottom for onwards shipment. Grid Ref: SJ 9610 8868 [PF-014-200]Horse path and tunnel under Stockport Road, Marple
