Lancaster Canal, West Portal Of Whittle Hills Tunnel Of Former Lancaster Canal

The west portal of the Whittle Hills tunnel, part of the former Lancaster Canal, was constructed between 1801 and 1803 under the engineering of John Rennie. It is made of rusticated rock-faced sandstone and features a semicircular arch with rusticated voussoirs and a triple keystone. Above the arch, there is a roll-moulded band that extends across battered piers on both sides. In the center of the retaining wall above this band, there is a large rectangular recess, which appears to have been intended for an inscription but is faced with ashlar. The portal is topped with a parapet that has a rounded top. On either side, there are curved sloped abutments made of similar masonry, finished with square copings. Historically, this portal was part of the canal link between the Leeds-Liverpool Canal at Johnsons Hillock and Walton Summit. Both portals are now redundant as the canal has been drained, and the center of the tunnel collapsed, leading to the opening of new portals to the central section around 1838, which are of less interest.