City Canalscape

In 1765, the Bridgewater Canal was opened at Castlefield, creating a level link by water between the Duke of Bridgewater's coal mines at Worsley and the centre of Manchester. At Castlefield Junction the canal linked into stretches of the River Medlock and the River Irwell that had both been incorporated into the canal and used the basin for the canal wharves. Many of the great warehouses built around this basin are still standing and have been converted for modern use.

Fuji X-T1, 18-55mm lens.

Cast iron rail bridge over the Rochdale Canal

Bridgewater, barges and Beetham.

 In almost 100 years, 10 major warehouses were constructed in the Basin area, including Merchants and Middle Warehouses (below). Others included Dukes, Kenworthy, Grocers, Staffordshire, Victoria and Albert, and the Great Northern Warehouse.

Merchants and Middle Wharves, the oldest warehouses regenerated.

 The arrival of the Duke of Bridgewater's Canal, in Castlefield in July 1761, marked the start of the Industrial Revolution. In 1802 the Rochdale Canal joined here at Duke's Lock, lock 92; this was the first canal to cross the Pennines, but the Duke insisted on finishing the link and controlling the junction, hence the name!

Two Towers

 The canal basin at Castlefield is crossed by four large railway viaducts dating from 1848, 1877 and 1898. Seen below are three of them.

The Cornbrook, Great Northern and M,SJ&AR viaducts and a footbridge, Bridgewater Basin.

Urban nature.