2014

SD7329 : M65, Dunkenhalgh Aqueduct

taken 10 years ago, near to Rishton, Lancashire, England

M65, Dunkenhalgh Aqueduct
M65, Dunkenhalgh Aqueduct
The section of motorway between junctions 6 and 7 was completed in 1984. The most significant bridge is the Dunkenhalgh Aqueduct, constructed to carry the Leeds and Liverpool Canal over the motorway. The abutments were founded on very large diameter bored piles, installed under bentonite. The heavily reinforced post-tensioned concrete trough, forming the deck, was cast on the ground, which was later excavated for the motorway cutting below LinkExternal link (Archive LinkExternal link ) .
The M65 Motorway, Lancashire

The M65 motorway runs for 28 miles, from just south of the major junction of the M6 and M61 motorways near Preston, eastward past Darwen, Blackburn, Accrington, Burnley, Nelson and ends at Colne. One of the original aims of the motorway was to promote the economically declining Calder Valley by connecting it to the motorway network (although a link to the conurbations of Manchester and/or Leeds might have been more appropriate for that purpose).

The first section, connecting Burnley to Brierfield, opened in 1981 with several extensions made over the years until it finally reached the M61 in 1997 when the link from Whitebirk was completed. Much of the 1997 extension was relaid shortly after it opened with a new, quieter tarmac because the amount of road noise had been so great that it prevented birds of prey (mainly owls) from foraging effectively.

The M65 is one of the few motorways in England that is not operated and maintained exclusively by the Highways Agency (the body responsible for the motorways and main trunk roads in England). The section from junction 10, Burnley, to the motorway’s eastern terminus at junction 14, Colne, is operated and maintained by Lancashire County Council.

LinkExternal link (SABRE) A detailed overview of the origins of the Calder Valley Fast Route, and the obstacles faced in delivering the project.


Creative Commons Licence [Some Rights Reserved]   © Copyright David Dixon and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
Geographical Context: Roads, Road transport Canals Motorway: M65 Canal: Leeds and Liverpool other tags: Motorway Aqueduct Canal Click a tag, to view other nearby images.
1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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1:50,000 Modern Day Landranger(TM) Map © Crown Copyright
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SD7329, 46 images   (more nearby 🔍)
Photographer
David Dixon   (more nearby)
Date Taken
Monday, 24 March, 2014   (more nearby)
Submitted
Wednesday, 9 April, 2014
Subject Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SD 7332 2954 [10m precision]
WGS84: 53:45.6915N 2:24.3708W
Camera Location
OSGB36: geotagged! SD 7342 2956
View Direction
WEST (about 270 degrees)
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Image classification(about): Geograph
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