Barton Lane Aqueduct Portal

Canal aqueduct portal , 1822-1824 for the Bridgewater Canal Company; removed and re-erected 1894 as a commemorative monument.

MATERIALS: ashlar Sherwood Sandstone.

PLAN: a single-span bridge portal arch.

DESCRIPTION: the portal consists of a deep segmental arch of radiating graduated ashlar blocks that spring from skewbacks, flanked by a pair of battered buttresses, each comprising eight courses of large rusticated vee-jointed blocks. An ovolo moulded cornice provides the base for an ashlar parapet that has saddle back copings and projecting end piers, with pyramidal cap stones. A number of the stone blocks exhibit masons' marks, including the moulded cornice. An ashlar tablet attached to the parapet reads: THIS ARCH/ ORIGINALLY FORMED PART OF THE/ FAMOUS BARTON AQUEDUCT, AND/ SPANNED THIS ROAD AT A POINT/ 15 YARDS EAST OF THIS TABLET/ IT WAS REMOVED TO ALLOW OF/ BARTON LANE BEING WIDENED IN 1893/ AND RE-ERECTED IN ITS PRESENT/ POSITION IN 1894 BY THE/ ECCLES CORPORATION./ MELLOR/ MAYOR. A 'red wheel' Transport Trust transport heritage site plaque is attached to the right-hand buttress.