Todmorden - Lydgate Viaduct
High in the Pennines, Todmorden has a bridge over the Rochdale Canal by George Stephenson and four railway viaducts in the vicinity.
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The Manchester & Leeds Railway used the valley of the Calder for its route eastward from the Pennine summit. Just west of Todmorden it was laid on Gauxholme Viaduct, built of 17 low 11 m (35 ft) span arches along the side of the valley.
At Gauxholme Bridge it crossed the Rochdale Canal on a splendid skew bridge of 31 m (102 ft) cast iron span, consisting of a pair of bowed ribs, with vertical hangars projected above the ribs in an ornamental Gothic arcade. The abutments are semi-octagonal castellated turrets. It is an altogether grand spectacle.
In the town centre the railway is carried on the nine arch Todmorden Viaduct, and then over the Lob Mill Viaduct of five arches.
The branch line to Burnley winds its way up a narrow valley and through a tunnel, beyond which is Nott Wood Viaduct with 13 high arches. This was designed by Sir John Hawkshaw in 1849.
All are listed Grade II.
By road: Off A646.
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Forgotten Relics - Listed Bridges and Viaducts