Nantwich’s fascinating canal history is now told on new interpretation panels unveiled next to Thomas Telford’s historic aqueduct.
Known as ‘The Gateway to Nantwich’, the aqueduct was recently restored by the Canal & River Trust charity.
And the trust was joined by Nantwich Museum and Nantwich Partnership to create the new panels, which tell the story of the Shropshire Union Canal and Telford’s iconic aqueduct, which spans the A534 Nantwich to Chester Road.
Constructed in 1828, the famous cast iron trough aqueduct is designated a Grade II* listed structure.
In 2015, it was secured for the next generation after a major £200,000 restoration funded by the Trust, Cheshire East Council, Nantwich Town Council, Acton, Edleston & Henhull Parish Council and Nantwich Partnership.
Work involved repairs to the supporting masonry and cast iron parapet railings, brickwork repairs and re-pointing. The structure was also repainted.
The new interpretation panel, coupled with recent improvements to a nearby canalside playground, are part of a partnership initiative to promote tourism and boost investment in Nantwich.
Sarah Lalieu, enterprise manager with the Canal & River Trust, said: “We hope local residents and visitors alike will enjoy discovering more about the fascinating history behind Thomas Telford and his engineering masterpiece in Nantwich.
“The aqueduct is a perfect example of that golden age of canal-building during the Industrial Revolution.
“History is all around us here and visitors will even be able to find rope marks left in the ironwork by the hundreds of horse-drawn boats who once plied their trade along ‘The Shroppie’.
“Today our wonderful waterways provide new opportunities for leisure and keeping active and healthy.
“Research proves people feel happier by water, so we want to encourage everyone to come and discover Cheshire’s inspiring combination of heritage and the great outdoors here in Nantwich.”
Jeff Stubbs, Nantwich Partnership chairman, is delighted with what has been achieved.
He added: “This is the product of some successful partnership and cooperation between local groups, volunteers, our councils under the leadership of the Trust, who have involved the community all the way, especially the invaluable expertise from Nantwich Museum’s Local History Group.”
The construction of the Shropshire Union Canal between Nantwich and Autherley was Telford’s final canal-building project.
He was in poor health at the end of his life and died in 1834, a year before it was officially opened.
Nantwich Aqueduct was one of several cast iron aqueducts in the area.
Similar Telford structures can be seen further south on the Shropshire Union Canal at Stretton and in Congleton on the Macclesfield Canal.
For more information about becoming a Friend of the Canal & River Trust or supporting canal restoration, go online at www.canalrivertrust.org.uk or phone 0303 040 4040.
(Pic, top: Front – Sarah Lalieu. Back L to R – Jeff Stubbs, Graham Dodd of Nantwich Museum, Cllr Arthur Moran, Nick Dyer of Nantwich Museum, Kate Lynch of Canal & River Trust)
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