Introduction
Accommodation Bridges were built over canals to preserve ancient rights of way and typically they were provided for the convenience of farmers who required access to their fields that lay on the opposite side of new canals.

The bridges shown here are, with one exception, stone built, and those that survive are now recognised as having special architectural and/or historic interest.

Gallery

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	3: Dukinfield Hall (or Well) Bridge, 6 Mar 1978. This view of the brick-built bridge is looking towards Dukinfield and the roof of Dukinfield Hall Congregational Chapel is just visible above the parapet on the right.
	5: Throstle Bank (or Bowler's) Bridge, Hyde, looking south, 7 Jun 1963. This bridge was demolished in Apr 1976 to make way for the M67 motorway. Subsequently, the adjoining Throstle Bank Mill was demolished as well.
	5: Throstle Bank (or Bowler's) Bridge, Hyde, looking towards Wellington Street and Pit Field Cottages, 6 Apr 1969.
	5: Throstle Bank (or Bowler's) Bridge, Hyde, looking north with Throstle Bank Mill on the right, 7 Jun 1963. Note the remains of a travelling crane on the mill wall. It is likely that this crane was mostly used to unload raw cotton brought by boat from Manchester.
	5: Throstle Bank (or Bowler's) Bridge, Hyde, looking south with Throstle Bank Mill on the left, 1972.
	6: Hyde Change Bridge, Hyde, looking north, 7 Jun 1963. The building to the left of the bridge was the office of Hyde Lane Pit. Off the picture to the left there was a staithe where chutes were used to load boats with coal. The buildings in the background, which incorporated the Navigation Inn, were subsequently demolished and housing now occupies the site.
	7: Captain Clarke's (or Woodend) Change Bridge, 4 Mar 1978. The bridge is seen here looking north towards Hyde.
	9: Burgess' Bridge, 19 Feb 2006. This bridge is near Woodley and it is seen here looking towards Marple.
	10: Murray's Bridge, 19 Feb 2006. This bridge is near Woodley and it is seen here looking towards Marple.
	12: Woodley Bridge, 19 Feb 2006. The bridge is seen here looking towards Hyde.
	13: Leach Bridge, 19 Feb 2006. This bridge is near Butterhouse Green and it is seen here looking towards Hyde.
	15: Occupation Bridge, 25 Feb 2006. This bridge adjoins the opened-out Rose Hill Tunnel and it is seen here looking towards Marple.
	16: Bottom Lock Change Bridge, 24 Feb 2006. Situated close to the bottom of Marple Locks, the bridge is seen here looking in the direction of Marple Aqueduct and Hyde. At this point the towpath changes sides but, as there is no towpath through the bridge hole, towing horses had to be unhitched before boats could pass below it.