IT stands as a monument to a forgotten industrial age – the Latchford Railway Viaduct over the Manchester Ship Canal.
This high level bridge formerly carried the Ditton Junction to Skelton Junction railway over the canal.
In fact, it was built in 1893 – a year before the canal was completed and carried a busy passenger service which calls at stations like Warrington Bank Quay, Latchford, Lymm, etc.
Passenger services ended in 1962 but the line continued as a good line until the 1980s, when as many as 60 trains were still using it.
The last train ran in 1985.
The railway track was still in place on the viaduct in 2005.
But the bridge is no longer considered safe and is sealed at both ends to keep traspassers off.
Much of the railway line is now used for the Trans Pennine Trail, footpath and bridlepath, but it has to deviate away from the railway line because of the unsafe bridge.
Should the line ever be reopened – which has been suggested from time to time – major repairs would be needed to the viaduct.
Monument to a bygone age
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
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Hi
Where abouts was the Latchford station ?
Cheers
Andy
Where Cantilever Gardens apartments are now (and where what used to be Cantilever Garden Centre) on Station Road. Cheers David.
Just a little bit of trivia but there used to be a wire suspended across the locks that the ships had to be able to pass under to be sure of not hitting the bridge.
I though IT stood for Information Technology ?
The railwayline is still up there. They should open it again.