Building record 88 - Preston Brook Tunnel

<1> Ashmore, O, 1982, The Industrial Archaeology of North West England, /57 (Book). SCH3181.

The Preston Brook Canal Tunnel. Opened 1775, J Brindley, engineer, to link the Trent & Mersey Canal to the Bridgewater Canal. At 1,240 yds (1,133m) one of the longest tunnels. Partly rock cut, partly brick lined. Towpath passes overland.

<2> Cheshire County Council, 1974, County Treasures Record, 4/IA.055 (Index). SCH1000.

Restored and reopened 1985. East of Dutton Hospital. Shown on Swire and Hutchings 1830, Bryant 1831

<3> Swire, W. & Hutchings, W. F., 1830, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2116.

<4> Bryant, A., 1831, Map of the County Palatine of Chester (Maps and Plans). SCH2114.

<5> Nevell, M & George, D, 2014, A Guide to the Industrial Archaeology of Cheshire, p.61 (Book). SCH8021.

Preston Brook Tunnel. 1,133m long with no towpath. Partly rock-cut and partly brick-lined. Opened in 1777. The northern end of the tunnel marks the junction with the Bridgewater Canal and here lies Preston Brook Wharf.

<6> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 1104925 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Dutton Preston Brook Tunnel Entrance - Grade II listed
Canal tunnel linking south end of the Bridgewater Canal with the Trent and Mersey Canal Circa 1777. Of red brick with stone dressing to tunnel ends. The tunnel is without tow path therefore bridges, linked to a ground level horse track, form the tunnel ends. The only access point is at the "Talbot Arms" on the A533 Northwich Road at Dutton. The bridge at the south end of the tunnel is of blue bricks with stone arch ring, projecting carriage arch, parapet abutments and coping; these features have been lost at the north end, which has been rebuilt in red facing bricks.

<7> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 1130435 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Northern air shaft to Preston Brook Tunnel - Grade II listed

Blue brick circular air shaft 2 yards in diameter and 2 yards high.

<8> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 1248174 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

Preston Brook Tunnel air shaft N.W. of Talbot Arms Public House - Grade II listed

Blue brick circular air shaft 2 yards in diameter and 3 yards high topped by a raised flat perforated metal cover.

<9> English Heritage, 2005, List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest, 1261904 (Digital Archive). SCH4666.

South portal of Preston Brook Tunnel. Grade II listed

Canal Tunnel mouth, circa 1777 by James Brindley, of stone-dressed dark brick. Narrow elliptical opening has ring of-rusticated stone voussoirs, 3 replaced in brick with concrete insert at base of left side. Plain stone band at ground level above arch; flush stone coping; plain rectangular end piers, sandstone wing walls with projecting stone copings. Above the tunnel mouth keystone a plain flush stone is inscribed PRESTON TUNNEL. The tunnel has no towpath; the horse track crosses the canal immediately behind the portal.