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Copyright © 2006 Rodrigo Alarcón-Cielock, All Rights Reserved
Marple Aqueduct One of the wonders of the Cheshire Ring, this three arched aqueduct carries the Peak Forest Canal nearly a 100 feet over the River Goyt. Opened in the 1800, its designer was the Peak Forest canal engineer, Benjamin Outram. The Peak Forest Canal was the main route to Dukinfield and was opened throughout in 1804. It fell into disuse in the 1960’s and restoration was started by the Inland Waterways Association and the Peak Forest Canal Society with stalwarts like Cyril Boucher. Dr. Boucher carried out much of the hands-on work and gave the invaluable technical advice which led to the re-opening of the canal in 1974. A tramroad was laid in 1798 enabling limestone traffic to travel to Manchester with freight from the quarries in the Derbyshire Hills. The tramroad at Marple was doubled in 1801 and operated until the opening of the locks in 1804. The locks allow boats to descend 214 feet (65.2 metres) from the level of the Macclesfield Canal. The aqueduct and flight of 16 locks forms part of the Cheshire Ring of Canals, and still represent an amazing feat of engineering.
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