Looking east from Melbourne Street before work began. The canal had been in-filled and a path led through to Armentieres Square, where a road and car park had been built over the line of the canal. When the canal is excavated, a bridge will need to be built to carry the new road..

Looking from Melbourne Street after the canal course had been excavated. The concrete base for the new bridge can be seen, with the new lock being constructed beyond.

The bridge is a box-culvert tunnel, formed by erecting pre-cast concrete sections on the base. The space on each side has to be filled carefully, maintaining the same pressure to each side of the structure. A concrete channel for the canal has been constructed in the foreground.

Concrete retaining walls and parapets are under construction.

The concrete walls and parapets are nearing completion. The concrete channel has been continued up to the bridge, with the towpath continuing through the bridge. The ground on each side of the channel has been built up to the level of the concrete wash walls.

April 9th 2001: One of the first boats pass below Armentieres Square bridge, seen from Melbourne Street. Lights have been installed under the bridge that will remain on during the daytime. A steel footbridge has now been opened to link the bus stops in the square to the shops in Melbourne Street. Brick setts have been laid on the towpath below.

Next page: Melbourne Street Bridge

My thanks to Tameside Council for providing access to take some of these photographs.

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