Thomas Telford, 1757-1834

"Section of the proposed Macclesfield Canal", 1825

©  Staffordshire and Stoke on Trent Archive Service

This is a "Section of the proposed Macclesfield Canal", dated 1825.  This branch runs from the Peak Forest Canal at Marple in Cheshire to the Staffordshire Potteries where it joined the Grand Trunk Canal (later the Trent & Mersey Canal).

The full extent of this document is over ten feet (well over 3 metres).  Although some of the place names have been copied incorrectly, it shows the detail of the surveying required even on this small scale section to ensure the required levels of the water.

This particular extract shows the Staffordshire end, and includes the famous Harecastle Tunnel between Kidsgrove and Tunstall, which was nearly 3000 yards in length (about one and two-thirds miles).  Advances in engineering meant that it was much wider than the previous tunnel built by James Brindley which had been completed in 1777 (although that one was notable in its time for its great length).  The new tunnel was wide enough to incorporate a tow-path so boats could continue to be towed through, instead of being "legged" by the boatmen.  The existence of the second tunnel also meant that boats did not have to wait for long periods of time for the tunnel to be clear, as both canals continued in use, one for each direction.  Telford's tunnel was completed in less than three years and was opened in 1827.

Staffordshire Record Office, Q/RUm/59

Last Modified: 13/09/2007 10:33:21
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