Trent and Mersey Canal Bridge Number 149 at Sj 7685 5888

The Trent and Mersey Canal Bridge Number 149 is a canal accommodation bridge located in Betchton. The south span of the bridge was constructed between 1772 and 1775 by James Brindley and Hugh Henshall. It was later extended to the north and remodeled in the early 1830s, likely by Thomas Telford when Lock No. 60 was duplicated. The bridge is made of brick and brindled brick with stone coping and dressings. It features a double span with a towpath on the south span. The south span has a segmental headed arch, while the north span has an elliptical headed arch. The bridge has swept wings that terminate in piers at all four corners, with the western side piers made of stone. The stone voussoirs and quoins are present on both arches on the west side, but only on the north span on the east side. A stone string course runs above both arches on both sides. Additionally, there are cast iron guard plates on both arches, with those on the towpath side mounted on curved wooden posts. The Trent and Mersey Canal itself was built between 1766 and 1777, with various alterations made over the years.