Shropshire Canal aqueduct at SJ 69423 05931

A stone aqueduct to carry the Shropshire Canal over the Wellington to Madeley road, built around 1792.

MATERIALS: sandstone ashlar.

PLAN: trapezoid, orientated with the long parallel sides to the north-west and south-east, and the south-west end longer than the north-east.

EXTERIOR: the aqueduct is carried over the path below by an elliptical arch. The arch is formed by a single course of ashlar voussoir stones. The abutments are in ashlar blocks. Above the arch, ashlar blocks extend upwards and form parapets either side of the aqueduct, which is now infilled and carries a tarmac path rather than water in an iron trough. Iron railings are above the parapets, set back from the edge. A wall extends at right-angles to the north-west from the north elevation, retaining the soil of the steep road cutting to the north-east. The aqueduct has also been buttressed to its south side by a shorter wall in rubble stone projecting at right-angles to the south-west, this wall retains some of the slope of the road cutting to the south-west. Also on the south elevation is an oval metal plaque that bears the inscription: ‘BUILT c.1792 THIS / AQUEDUCT WAS RESTORED / IN 2001 / ALSO REMEMBERED HERE / ARE THE WAR DEAD OF / AQUEDUCT VILLAGE’.