Four miles west of Manchester, between Stretford and Worsley, is one of the wonders of the waterway world - the Barton Swing Aqueduct, carrying the Bridgewater Canal across the Manchester Ship Canal.
It was opened in 1893 to replace Brindley's 1761 stone aqueduct crossing what was at that time the Mersey and Irwell Navigation.
The Barton Swing Aqueduct seen from the Bridgewater Canal, looking south.
Barton Swing Aqueduct looking east from the road swing bridge. Both bridges are operated from the control room in the tower.
Barton Swing Aqueduct looking north along the navigation channel.
Panoramic view of the Barton Swing Aqueduct, road swing bridge and control tower.
The Manchester Ship Canal, itself a waterways wonder, opened in 1894 and allowed ships of up to 400 tons to reach docks close to the centres of Salford and Manchester.
A boat passes across Barton Swing Aqueduct, seen from a boat on the Ship Canal.
