22 C O N T E X T 1 1 0 : J U LY 2 0 0 9 Andrew Tegg Vehicle strikes to historic bridges Many of the simple bridges that form much of the architectural character of Britain’s historic canal network are in danger of being irreversibly damaged by vehicle strikes. In recent years cases of canal bridges being struck by vehicles have become more frequent. It is suspected that this is largely due to the proliferation of satellite navigation systems, and the inability of such systems to differentiate between vehicle size and road width when suggesting routes. The Lancaster Canal appears to be particularly susceptible to bridge strikes. The canal, which originally ran from Preston to Kendal, was constructed over a period of around 30 years from 1792, to the designs of John Rennie. The initial section of canal linking Preston and Lancaster opened in 1797. Following many delays, the canal was completed with the opening of the branch to Glasson Dock in 1826. Originally 57 miles in length, with eight locks on the main line canal at Tewitfield and a flight of six locks on the Glasson Dock Branch, the canal was truncated in 1960s by the building of the M6. The motorway crosses the main line in a number of locations, making through navigation impossible. Some sections of this truncated northern section have been infilled, while others remain in water only to supply the southern end of the canal. The Lancaster Canal now stretches for 42 miles between Preston and Tewitfield. Ambitions The damage to Crooklands Bridge, south of Kendal, with masonry lying on the towpath Crooklands Bridge repaired The new signing at Crooklands Bridge
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