Clifton Aqueduct

{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2018}} {{Use British English|date=January 2018}} {{Infobox aqueduct navigable |name = Clifton Aqueduct |image = Clifton Aqueduct aerial shot.jpg |image_size = |image_caption = The aqueduct spanning the Irwell, as viewed from the [[Clifton Viaduct]] downstream |carries = [[Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal]] |crosses = [[River Irwell]] |location = [[Clifton, Greater Manchester|Clifton]], [[Greater Manchester]] |os_grid_reference= SD790034 |maintained = |designer = Charles Roberts and John Nightingale |material1 = [[Dimension stone|Stone]] |material2 = [[Brick]] |number_spans = Three |piers_in_water = |mainspan = |length = |width = |height = |depth = |passable = |towpath = Both |clearance_above = |clearance_below = |begin = |complete = 1796 |open = |rebuilt = |heritage = Grade II |closed = |coordinates = {{coord|53.5277|-2.3172|display=inline,title}} |extra = }}

'''Clifton Aqueduct''', built in 1796, carried the [[Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal]] across the [[River Irwell]] in [[Clifton, Greater Manchester|Clifton]], near [[Manchester]], England. It is preserved as a Grade II [[listed building|listed structure]].<ref name = Clifton1>{{NHLE |num=1162680 |desc=Clifton Aqueduct |accessdate=2008-06-27}}</ref> The [[Navigable aqueduct|aqueduct]] is constructed of dressed stone with brick arches. Three segmental arches with keystones rest on triangular-ended cutwaters. Above the cutwaters are flat [[Pilaster]]s. A C20 brick [[parapet]] remains on the eastern side. There is a towpath on each side, and the aqueduct contains grooves for stop planks to be inserted, to drain the canal.<ref name = Clifton1/> The aqueduct was engineered by Charles Roberts and John Nightingale.

The aqueduct is one of two remaining along the canal route, the other being [[Prestolee Aqueduct]]. The canal is undergoing restoration and was previously{{when|reason=Used to just say “is hoped”|date=February 2021}} hoped to be in operation around 2020.

As of December 2020, the aqueduct is currently not in water. The canal is very overgrown and showing signs of severe deterioration.

==Rail access== The nearest station is [[Clifton (Manchester) railway station]].

==See also== {{Stack|{{Portal|United Kingdom|Transport|Greater Manchester}}}} *[[Listed buildings in Swinton and Pendlebury]] *[[Canals of the United Kingdom]] *[[History of the British canal system]]

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Stack|{{Commons category|Clifton Aqueduct}}}} *[http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/mbb/mbbc31.htm Clifton Aqueduct on Pennine Waterways website] *[http://www.mbbcs.org.uk/ Manchester, Bury & Bolton Canal Society website] *{{NHLE |num=1162680}}

[[Category:Grade II listed bridges in Greater Manchester]] [[Category:Bridges completed in 1796]] [[Category:Navigable aqueducts in England]] [[Category:Grade II listed canals]] [[Category:Buildings and structures in the City of Salford]] [[Category:Bridges across the River Irwell]] [[Category:1796 establishments in England]]