Locomotive Bridge, Aspley, Huddersfield 24/10/10

[SteveB]

Not sure if this really counts as urbex, but I think this is a fascinating bit of 1860s technology.

This contraption is the Locomotive Bridge (also known as a Turnpike Bridge or Lift Bridge) at Aspley in Huddersfield (round the back of Sainsbury's) which lifts a section of the road, cobbles and all, into the air so boats can pass underneath on the Huddersfield Broad Canal.





Until a few years ago this whole thing was operated using a manual windlass



But in recent years an electric motor was added, operated from this panel, having inserted a British Waterways key






This sign on part of the road gate interlock mechanism appears to pre-date the electrical installation