Features Past and Present

Introduction

The Lower Peak Forest Canal was open for trade, between Dukinfield and the unfinished Marple Aqueduct, by May 1798. The channel of the aqueduct was filled with water on the 1 May 1800, in spite of the fact that its construction was still incomplete. This is the generally accepted opening date for the Peak Forest Canal with the exception of Marple Locks, which were bypassed by a temporary tramway. The Upper Peak Forest Canal and Peak Forest Tramway were opened for trade on the 31 August 1796 and Marple Locks opened throughout in November 1805.

Picture Gallery

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	The start of the Peak Forest Canal in Dukinfield, 4 February 2006. The canal starts at the point where the metalled surface of the towpath of the Tame Aqueduct finishes. The replica Ashton New Warehouse stands in the background and this houses the Portland Basin Museum.
	Garforth's Private Branch, Dukinfield, 4 February 2006. Of several private branches on the canal, this is the only one to survive. Cavendish Mill stands in the background on the left and this is beside the Ashton Canal.
	Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Bridge (Stalybridge Branch), Dukinfield, February 1984. The platforms of Dukinfield Station formerly extended over the canal.
	Stanley Swivel and Footbridge, Dukinfield, 20 June 1965. By 1978, the footbridge had been demolished and subsequently, the swivel bridge was replaced.
	Foxholes Footbridge, Hyde, 7 June 1963. Squire George Hyde Clarke contributed £10 towards the cost of building this bridge in 1799. It was demolished in about 1971.
	Apethorne Footbridge, Hyde, 28 July 1978. The abutment on the towpath side bore the date 22 2 12 (22 February 1812). Subsequently, this bridge was replaced.
	The south side of the Cheshire Lines Railway Bridge, Woodley, 19 February 2006.
	Cheshire Lines Railway Bridge, Woodley, 19 February 2006. The north portal of Butterhouse Green Tunnel is in the background.
	The north portal of Butterhouse Green Tunnel, Woodley, 19 February 2006.
	The south portal of Butterhouse Green Tunnel, Woodley, 19 February 2006. The tunnel is seen here from Keen's cutting. This 176yd-long tunnel has a towpath through it but boats cannot pass inside it.
	The north side of the Sheffield and Midland Railway Bridge, Romiley, 19 February 2006.
	The south side of the Sheffield and Midland Railway Bridge, Romiley, 19 February 2006.
	The north west portal of Hyde Bank Tunnel, Romiley, 26 February 2006. This 308yd-long tunnel does not have a towpath through it but boats can pass. The horse path crosses the tunnel portal and passes under the bridge visible in the top left-hand corner.
	The south east portal of Hyde Bank Tunnel, Romiley, 26 February 2006. The horse path ascends Hyde Bank on the left.
	The opened-out Rose Hill Tunnel, with Occupation Bridge in the background, Marple, 24 February 2006. This tunnel was also known as Aqueduct Tunnel or Mancomb Tunnel and it was opened-out in the 1830s.