Change Bridge over former Lancaster-Kendal Canal

This list entry was subjected to a Minor Enhancement on 27 February 2024 to amend details in the description, add Historical note and reformat the text to current standards

SD 59 SW 2/176

KENDAL GARDEN ROAD Change Bridge over former Lancaster-Kendal Canal

II

Canal change bridge, 1818, by William Crosley Jr. Squared coursed limestone, with limestone voussoirs and projecting keystone to the single elliptical arch; string courses and coping to parapets. End pilasters. Ramped pathways to either side (with cobblestones intact to west approach) and retaining walls. Although the canal has been filled at this point the kerbstones of the towpath survive beneath the bridge. Some later rubble masonry walling to either side of the bridge is not bonded into the original structure. This is believed to be the only surviving change bridge in Cumbria.

Historical note: the canal was completed south from Tewitfield between 1792 and 1797 under the supervision of engineer John Rennie, who provided specifications for bridges, with the abutments battered and waisted. From 1815 Thomas Fletcher supervised progress north from Tewitfield, but only progressed as far as the Hincaster tunnel before William Crosley Jr was appointed in June 1817 to supervise the works from Hincaster to Kendal. Crosley also provided very similar specifications to Rennie’s earlier drawings, but without the distinctive ‘double keystones’ found on Rennie’s bridges. The contract for the bridges was let in 1817.

Listing NGR: SD5201891745