Stretton Aqueduct
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Stretton Aqueduct | |
|---|---|
 Stretton Aqueduct carrying the Shropshire Union Canal over the A5. The inscription in the centre panel reads: "Birmingham and Liverpool Canal Thos. Telford F.R.S.L.& E. Engineer 1832" | |
| Coordinates | 52°41′39″N 2°11′22″W / 52.694267°N 2.189412°W |
| Heritage status | Grade II |
| Characteristics | |
| Width | 21 feet (6.4 m) |
| History | |
| Construction start | 1832 |
| Opened | 1835 |
| Location | |
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Stretton Aqueduct is a short cast iron[1][2] canal aqueduct between Stretton and Brewood, and near to Belvide Reservoir, in south Staffordshire, England. Designed by Thomas Telford[2] and bearing his name plus its date of construction, 1832,[2][3] it carries the Shropshire Union Canal (formerly the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction Canal) 30 feet (9.1 m) over the A5 road[1] at a skewed angle.[2]
The aqueduct has five sections, each 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) long, held together by bolts and supported by six cast iron arch ribs, each in two sections and joined at the centre of the arch.[2] It was cast by William Hazledine of Shrewsbury.[2] The trough is 21 feet (6.4 m) wide with an 11 feet (3.4 m) wide channel of water and a towpath on either side.[2] The Staffordshire blue brick abutments have stone dressings.[3]
During 1961–62, the road under the aqueduct was lowered by about 4 feet (1.2 m) to allow taller vehicles to pass underneath.[2]
It was one of Telford's last aqueducts[4] and has been grade II listed since 1985.[3]
