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Cadishead Viaduct is a disused railway viaduct, built in 1893 by the Cheshire Lines Committee to cross the newly built Manchester Ship Canal. The bridge has a span of 127 feet (39 m); its central span is 75 feet (23 m) above the water level. It is mainly constructed of engineering brick, with a central span made of 500 tons of steel in a latticed girder construction.[1][2]
The viaduct is about 20 metres (66 ft) wide, built to carry four railway tracks, although only two were ever laid.[1]
The railway line closed to passengers in 1965, and to freight in 1984. The entrances to the bridge on both sides were closed, and industrial containers positioned to prevent access to the central structure. The viaduct’s subsequent neglect led to its deterioration to the point of becoming a local eyesore, prompting proposals for its regeneration,[1] including for use by a new heritage railway between Salford and Trafford.[3]