the Turn? Bridge in Leigh, Lancashire

[plimmerian]

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

[KGarrad]

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.

[stanmapstone]

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

[stanmapstone]

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

[plimmerian]

thanks for those and a useful website too - great stuff! ;-)

[t_creaney]

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

[stanmapstone]

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

[t_creaney]

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

[plimmerian]

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