The railway line was the Oldham, Ashton and Guide Bridge Railway which opened in 1861 with stations at Ashton, Oldham Road (where Monk's Garage is) and at Park Bridge, where a 12-arch viaduct carried the line high above the Medlock Valley.
Passenger trains ceased in 1959 but the railway carried freight until 1967, after which it was dismantled. In recent years the trackbed has been given a good surface and is now a cycle way and foot path from Ashton to Park Bridge. The path starts at Turner Lane, not far from the town centre, and is a good and easy route out into the countryside.
Few of the people who drive or walk across the bridge on Cranbourne Road realise that they are crossing such a smart 3-arch brick viaduct.
I showed you a view of this bridge from the other side in 2008.
See Bird's Eye View of this location.
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It is a pretty scene with the arched viaduct. Thanks for sharing your world today. Happy Holidays and Happy New Years to you!
ReplyDeleteThe arches make it so beautiful! We too have some railway bridges built at this time, in India. They are all still in use.
ReplyDeleteThat is a lovely old bridge with an interesting history. Nice capture! I enjoyed looking at the Bird's Eye View of it.
ReplyDeleteI will never understand how people can desecrate such a great old structure with graffiti. It lends so much interest to the foot/cycle path.
ReplyDeletenice pic! :)
ReplyDeleteA historical scene :0) Lovely shot :0) Have a nice day :0)
ReplyDeleteMarvelous, I well remember the railway line and the travelling of trains on the line. Of course, I would because I'm very old!
ReplyDeleteLots of these old railway walks around the country,they make for a pleasent walk.
ReplyDeleteIf you're old, then so am I, Ashtonian!!! I was allowed to catch the train at Oldham Rd station to Fairbottom (a halt) just before Park Bridge, where my great aunt Mary Ann Spear (nee Goodwin) lived at the cottage next to Fairbottom Methodist Chapel. I must have been about 9 or 10 years old. Once when trying to get off the train at Oldham Rd, I panicked because I couldn't lower the window- you needed to lean out to open the door from the outside. Fortunately a guy on the platform noticed me and helped me out !
ReplyDeleteThis is a good one
ReplyDeletebeen along this route many times like to go along the full length of it on my mobility scooter but the barriers stop me getting through i can understand why
ReplyDelete