'Sankey Viaduct, Liverpool and Manchester Railroad', Cheshire, c 1840
© NRM / Pictorial Collection / Science & Society Picture Library
Coloured engraving showing a view of the viaduct acros the Sankey Valley near Warrington, Cheshire. Constructed above one of England's first canals, the viaduct over the Sankey Valley on the Liverpool and Manchester Railway included about 60 feet of clearance beneath it to allow tall-masted barges to pas unimpeded. Designed by William Allcard, it was built of brick with stone facings, and cost £45,000. Each of the nine arches spanned 50 feet, rising from slabs of local sandstone.