Avoncliff Aqueduct

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Avoncliff Aqueduct
Avoncliff 2008.jpg
Coordinates 51°20′20″N2°16′57″W / 51.3389°N 2.2825°W / 51.3389; -2.2825 Coordinates: 51°20′20″N2°16′57″W / 51.3389°N 2.2825°W / 51.3389; -2.2825
OS grid reference ST802593
Carries Kennet and Avon Canal
Crosses River Avon,
Heart of Wessex Line
Locale Avoncliff
Maintained by Canal & River Trust
Characteristics
Trough constructionBrick and stone
Pier constructionBrick and stone
Total length330 feet (100.6 m)
Traversable?Yes
Towpaths Both
Longest span60 feet (18.3 m)
No. of spans3
History
Designer John Rennie
Construction start1797
Opened1805
Location
Avoncliff Aqueduct

Avoncliff Aqueduct (grid reference ST803599 ) carries the Kennet and Avon Canal over the River Avon and the Bath to Westbury railway, at Avoncliff in Wiltshire, England, about 1+12 miles (2.4 km) west of Bradford-on-Avon. It was built by John Rennie and chief engineer John Thomas, between 1797 and 1801. It is a Grade II* listed structure. [1]

Contents

During construction, stone from a local quarry was used which split when affected by frost. This caused buttresses to collapse and parts of the structure to need rebuilding. Eventually Bath stone from Bathampton Down was used to ensure greater stability. [2]

The aqueduct has three arches and is 110 yards (100.6 m) long, with a central elliptical arch of 60 ft (18.3 m) span, and two semicircular side arches each 34 ft (10.4 m) across, all with V-jointed arch stones. The spandrel and wing walls are built in alternate courses of ashlar masonry and rock-faced blocks. [3] The central span sagged soon after it was built and has been repaired many times. [4]

As part of the 20th-century restoration of the canal, the aqueduct was lined with a concrete "cradle" and made watertight in 1980. [5]

See also

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Avoncliff Human settlement in England

Avoncliff is a small village in west Wiltshire, England, in the north of Westwood parish about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) southwest of Bradford-on-Avon.

Limpley Stoke Human settlement in England

Limpley Stoke is a village and civil parish in Wiltshire, England. It lies in the Avon valley between Bath and Freshford, and is both above and below the A36 road.

Dundas Aqueduct

Dundas Aqueduct carries the Kennet and Avon Canal over the River Avon and the Wessex Main Line railway from Bath to Westbury. The aqueduct is near Monkton Combe, Somerset, and is about 2+12 miles (4 km) southeast of the city of Bath.

Garston Lock

Garston Lock is a lock on the Kennet and Avon Canal. It is near the M4 motorway and near Reading, England.

Newbury Lock

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Avoncliff railway station Railway station in Wiltshire, England

Avoncliff railway station serves the hamlet of Avoncliff in Wiltshire, England, together with the nearby villages of Westwood and Winsley, and Turleigh hamlet. It is next to the Kennet and Avon Canal and almost adjacent to the Avoncliff Aqueduct, so it is popular with walkers and cyclists who wish to travel along the canal path or the picturesque walks around the station.

Semington Aqueduct

Semington Aqueduct is an aqueduct at Semington, Wiltshire, England, UK. It carries the Kennet and Avon Canal over the Semington Brook.

Conkwell Human settlement in England

Conkwell is a hamlet in Winsley parish, Wiltshire, England, near the county border with North East Somerset. It is about 2.3 miles (3.7 km) west of Bradford-on-Avon and 3 miles (5 km) southeast of the city of Bath. The settlement was established to house the workers in the local stone quarries. The southern side is in Winsley, but the northern is in the Somerset parish of Bathford.

Winsley Human settlement in England

Winsley is a large village and civil parish about 2 miles (3 km) west of Bradford on Avon in Wiltshire, England.

Westwood, Wiltshire Human settlement in England

Westwood is a large village and a civil parish in west Wiltshire, England. The village is about 1.4 miles (2.3 km) southwest of the town of Bradford-on-Avon.

Newbury Bridge

Newbury Bridge, also known as Kennet Bridge or Town Bridge, is a bridge across the River Kennet in the town centre of Newbury in the English county of Berkshire. The bridge carries Bridge Street, which links Northbrook Street, to the north of the river, with Bartholomew Street, to the south. The river channel under the bridge is also used by boats navigating the Kennet and Avon Canal. The current bridge was built between 1769 and 1772 and has three arches, although the two outer arches are now hidden by flanking buildings. It is a Grade II* listed structure.

References

  1. Historic England. "Avoncliff Aqueduct (1021876)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 4 April 2015.
  2. Hawkins, Derek (2011). Bath Stone Quarries. Folly Books. pp. 36–37. ISBN   9780956440549.
  3. "Avoncliff Aqueduct". Avoncliff. Retrieved 7 May 2013.
  4. Allsop, Niall (1987). The Kennet & Avon Canal . Bath: Millstream Book. ISBN   0-948975-15-6.
  5. "The Kennet and Avon Canal". Avoncliff. Archived from the original on 18 July 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.