Listed Building record MDR10637 - Horse Tunnel, Peak Forest Canal, Whaley Bridge

Horse Tunnel, Peak Forest Canal, Whaley Bridge, built c1794. 'Immediately to the east of the point where the Bugsworth Arm (originally the main line) of the Peak Forest Canal veers away from the line to Whaley Bridge there is a horse tunnel under the arm. The horse had to be untied and led through, although if it made the journey regularly it would soon learn to negotiate the diversion alone. The boatman would cross by the footbridge over the arm, roping the boat along.' (1) 'The Whaley Bridge and River Goyt Aqueduct was the first and only major construction completed by 1796 and, after the Marple Aqueduct, must be the secondmost impressive earthwork along the Peak Forest Canal. It allowed loaded boats to carry on a trade to Marple and gave the Peak Forest Canal Company some income from the carriage of stone. Its construction was given a high priority and, considering this aspect, there has been no jam or stoppage due to faults in or with this aqueduct since it was opened for traffic in 1796. It was designed by Benjamin Outram and its construction was overseen by Thomas Brown under Outram's direction.' (2) From the National Heritage List for England: 'The following building shall be added to the list:- WHALEY BRIDGE PEAKFOREST CANAL SK 08 SW Bridgemont 5/10005 Horse Tunnel, Buxworth Arm - II Aqueduct/horse tunnel taking Peak Forest Canal arm to Buxworth (formerly Bugsworth) Basin. Presumably built between 1794 and 1801 with later alterations. Benjamin Outram and Thomas Brown, engineers. Dressed stone. Segmental arch with rock faced voussoirs. Concave retaining walls with parapets to North elevation in snecked masonry (ie later) and lost to south elevation: rock faced bands and rounded coping (to north) : rock faced, squared terminating piers. NB Cobbled towpath remains Listing NGR: SK0138982264.' (3)