Monument record 15289/7 - Railway Embankment and Bridges near Canal-Side Farm- North Staffordshire Railway, Sandbach Branch

<1> Christiansen, R & Miller, R W, 1971, The North Staffordshire Railway, p.229, 306 (Book). SCH9046.

The construction of the North Staffordshire Railway’s Sandbach branch was facilitated by the North Staffordshire Railway (Harecastle and Sandbach) Act 1846. Construction was authorised to begin on the 26th June 1846, with goods services beginning on the 21st January 1852. However, passenger services didn’t begin until the 3rd July 1893. Freight traffic continued over the line until 1964 and the line was finally closed and lifted in 1971.

<2> Jeuda B, 2012, The North Staffordshire Railway in LMS Days: Volume 2, p.34 (Book). SCH9047.

The short 6.5 mile line from Lawton Junction to Ettiley Heath was opened as a goods traffic only line in 1852 and extended to join the London and North Western Railway at Sandbach in 1866. The passenger service was withdrawn by the railway’s then operator, the London, Midland and Scottish Railway, from the 28th July 1930.

<3> Ordnance Survey, 1871-1882, Ordnance Survey County Series (Epoch 1) 25 inch to 1 mile - Cheshire, SJ7559, 1875-1876 (Maps and Plans). SCH2462.

This map depicts a railway embankment which runs from the eastern side of Wheelock Old Salt Works to the area south of Whitehall Works. There is a bridge or culvert where the embankment crosses a brook and bridges where the railway crosses a lane and the Trent and Mersey Canal. There are poinits and three tracks for much of this part of the line. A signal box is also depicted.

<4> Huntings Surveys Ltd, 1971-1973, 1971-1973 County Survey, HSL UK 73 65, Run 35, no.2690 & Run 34, no.2561 17/05/1973 (Aerial Photograph). SCH4881.

The line is disused and appears to be part of a wider area of landscaping or reclamation works (possibly the construction of the golf course).

<5> JA Story & Partners, 1985, 1985 Story & Partners Survey, Run 28 no.3085, 31/05/1985 (Aerial Photograph). SCH2993.

The embankment east of the canal has been removed. The area is now part of a golf course.