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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Lancashire => Topic started by: plimmerian on Monday 11 August 14 02:44 BST (UK)
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on 20th April 1853 at Wesleyan Chapel, Bedford, Leigh, Lancashire - William HILL aged 10 of Bedford, Leigh, Lancashire was buried but written under his name it looks like it states he was killed at the "Turn Bridge" - does anyone know where in Leigh the "Turn Bridge" was located?
thank you
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There used to be a bridge called Lower Ince Turn Bridge?
It was on the Leigh Branch of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.
It's not there any more, but is on an 1849 map.
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You can see the Old Turn Bridge on the 1849 map at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html?coords=358000,404000 or http://maps.nls.uk/view/102344045#zoom=5&lat=4244&lon=11496&layers=BT
Stan
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There is also a Turn Bridge at http://maps.nls.uk/view/102344045#zoom=5&lat=5298&lon=11900&layers=BT This is most likely the one referred to.
Stan
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thanks for those and a useful website too - great stuff! ;-)
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I am afraid I am rather late in answering this one, I have had it on my list but since you first posted it but only just managed to get the information.
I managed to get this newspaper report of the inquest from the May 1853 edition of the Leigh Chronicle.
The report stated that the incident took place at West Leigh and I have been speaking to a few knowledgeable people on local history in Leigh and the consensus is that the bridge in the vicinity of the new marina at Plank Lane, I have been told it still exists but not gone to look. Apparently these type of bridges were commonplace.
I hope this is helpful in your research.
tc
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the bridge in the vicinity of the new marina at Plank Lane, I have been told it still exists
tc
See http://goo.gl/maps/zML1J
Stan
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Thanks Stan.... that's the new road bridge, I think there is a foot bridge close to it. The bridge in question was a pivoting pedestrian bridge. I might go tomorrow & take a look.
tc
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thank you so much for researching and posting the article - the poor lad - I had visions of him misbehaving but it seems he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time
I'd be interested to know if a bridge still exists - or is that too macabre :-\
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You can see a number of photographs of modern Plank Lane Bridge at http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/ll/ll98.htm
Stan
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After a look at the bridge in operation I now realise that it is a lift bridge, lifting to allow the canal traffic to pass. I do live in the area but am not a native, hence not overfamiliar & only taking in some of the history I come across from time to time.
I spoke to some locals & barge folk and it seems that there was a lift or turn bridge of sorts on the site since the days of your William Hill. I haven’t looked in any depth but there seems to be a lot on the internet related mainly to the modern structure.
Acknowledgements to Stan for the links to a great selection of photographs.
So although this may not be the spot it seems most likely.
Regards.
tc
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The 1926 map of the area shows it as a Swing Bridge.http://maps.nls.uk/view/101103662#zoom=5&lat=3124&lon=5047&layers=BT
Stan
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thanks for sharing the pics and links - I also noticed on the 1926 map a "swing bridge" after Barton's Bridge but before the railway bridge, near sports ground and Pilling Street - I'm guessing that would be in Westleigh also!?!
It seems to be called "Springfield Footbridge" on the modern photo trail: http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/ll/ll99.htm (http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/ll/ll99.htm)
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Just about Westleigh or at least very close and may well be the one. And a lot closer to Lord Steeet where William lived.
tc
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hopefully this link will provide a picture of one of the leeds Liverpool canal swing bridges, there were many along the canal, all very similar
http://www.shirecruisers.co.uk/canals/leeds-liverpool-canal.php
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thanks for posting - now I understand what a turnbridge was - I'm sure there were many more accidents with those type of bridges - poor lad! :-\