Lancaster: Shaw Street, Canal, Aquaduct, Green Ayre


This is a circular walk I did one cold, but bright January morning in Lancaster, following first the canal northwards, then the route of the North Western Railway back south, beside the river.

Shaw Street is a small road of terraced housing that happens to give access to the canal, and a footbridge, which I assume has replaced an older stone bridge.


This is the view looking towards Lancaster; the canal heads to Preston in this direction, but I went the other way, towards Kendal.


This is looking towards Dolphin Lea Bridge.


Another view, looking back:


The canal crosses the A589 on an aqueduct:


I then took a path down to the river, while the canal went over the Lune Aqueduct, undoubtedly the most impressive feature of the canal.


This took me down to the course of a railway that ran from Yorkshire to Morecambe, originally owned by the North Western Railway - as opposed to the much bigger London North Western Railway. The railway was built in 1849, and passed under the first arch of the aqueduct. The need to negotiate the canal probably determined the route of the railway to some degree.

To be frank, the riverside walk was a disappointment. Trees, and in some places flood defences, hide the river to the west, whilst to the east there is a series of industrial units. However, as you get further south the industrial units occupy what used to be Lancaster Wagon Works, which I found of some interest.


I found this section of wall interesting, as it shows a large door that has been reduced in size four or fives times before eventually being filled in completely.


Eventually, you can see the river, and Skerton Bridge, though I did have to go off-piste to get this photo.


Skerton Bridge from the other side, showing where the railway passed under it, now a walkway, with the original, very narrow walkway to the left, and the river off camera further left.


That said, identical narrow walkways are also seen on each pier, so they may be decorative!


Green Ayre station was a little way south of Skerton Bridge. After the station the railway crossed the Lune on a curving bridge, as seen below. This has been converted to road.


To the left of the bridge in the above image is Sainsbury's, which is in a building originally part of the railway. Below is the view from the street, which may have offices. The loco sheds were at the back (if this is considered the front), accessed from a turntable to the left.




Some interesting links about Green Ayre Station:






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