PRESS RELEASE
Issued: 17 June 2013
YORKSHIRE’S HISTORIC WATERWAYS SET FOR BRIGHT FUTURE
Wakefield’s answer to Sydney Harbour Bridge and an historic lift bridge on the Huddersfield Broad
Canal have a bright future ahead of them after English Heritage gave a vote of confidence to the
way they are cared for.
The Government's statutory adviser on the historic environment has endorsed the work of national
waterways charity, the Canal & River Trust, by giving it prior permission to inspect and repair the
two historic landmarks, jobs which would ordinarily need formal consent.
It’s all part of an agreement between the two organisations that sets out how Stanley Ferry
Aqueduct near Wakefield and Locomotive Bridge near Huddersfield should best be cared for to
protect them for future generations.
Stanley Ferry Aqueduct was built between 1836 and 1839 and has national significance as one of
the earliest through-arch bridges in the world – opening a full 100 years before the world’s most
famous example, Sydney Harbour Bridge.
It is thought to be the largest aqueduct built from cast iron and is designated as a Scheduled
Ancient Monument and a Grade 1 Listed building. It was designed by George Leather Jnr and built
by H. McIntosh to carry a 50-metre long stretch of the Aire & Calder Navigation over the River
Calder.
Locomotive Bridge (also sometimes known as Turn Bridge) on the Huddersfield Broad Canal gets
its name from the mechanism that would have lifted it allowing boats to travel along the canal. The
bridge is the most historically interesting structure on the canal and still shows evidence of its early
working life, from the original historic mechanism and brickwork to rope marks created by tow-lines
between the boats and the horses that pulled them.
Judy Jones, heritage advisor for the Canal & River Trust says; “These two landmarks are real
unsung heroes of Yorkshire’s industrial past. They have national significance but most people
probably don’t think about their history while they use them as part of their daily lives.
Canal & River Trust Toll House, Delamere Terrace, London, W2 6ND
T 0203 204 4514 E press.office@canalrivertrust.org.uk W www.canalrivertrust.org.uk Twitter @CanalRiverTrust
Patron: H.R.H. The Prince of Wales. Canal & River Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales
with company number 7807276 and registered charity number 1146792, registered office address: First Floor North, Station House, 500
Elder Gate, Milton Keynes MK9 1BB
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“We care deeply about the heritage of our waterways and the purpose of these agreements is to
make sure that we continue to do the right thing in protecting these important examples of
Yorkshire’s rich history
“We’re really pleased that English Heritage recognises the genuine pride and passion our teams
have shown in looking after these structures over the years and their ability to give them the care
and attention they deserve in the future”.
Neil Redfern, Principal Inspector of Ancient Monuments at English Heritage said; “We are
delighted to be working with the Canal & River Trust on these agreements and think they’re an
excellent example of how heritage can be managed so everyone is happy with the outcome.”
The agreement for each structure can be downloaded at http://canalrivertrust.org.uk/aboutus/heritage/scheduled-monument-management-agreements.
ENDS
For further media requests please contact:
Stephen Hardy, communications manager, Canal & River Trust
t 01636 675703 m 07920 077190 e stephen.hardy@canalrivertrust.org.uk
Notes to editors:
The Canal & River Trust is the guardian of 2,000 miles of historic waterways across England and
Wales. We are among the largest charities in the UK, maintaining the nation’s third largest
collection of Listed structures, as well as museums, archives, navigations and hundreds of
important wildlife sites.
We believe that our canals and rivers are a national treasure and a local haven for people and
wildlife. It is our job to care for this wonderful legacy – holding it in trust for the nation in perpetuity
and giving people a greater role in the running of their local waterways
www.canalrivertrust.org.uk