The Teme aqueduct on the Leominster Canal : the secrets of a unique military centrepiece in World War II

摘要

Thomas Dadford junior was both the surveyor and engineer for the River Teme aqueduct on the Leominster Canal.1 The aqueduct was completed by 1794 and remained in use until the canal was closed in 1858. Gerry Calderbank has published a detailed description of the aqueduct's construction and the geological reasons for its siting.2 The aqueduct crosses the Herefordshire-Shropshire border and lies in the parishes of Little Hereford and Richard's Castle (National Grid Reference SO 53703 68807; Google Earth 52°18'15"N 2°40'50"W). It originally had three arches, each with a span of 35 feet, built from dressed stone and brick. It is built on solid horizontal slabs of old red sandstone which provide the ideal foundation for its abutments. The statutory towpath lay on the east side with a second path on the west. The latter was to accommodate a junction with the proposed Ludlow & Montgomery Canal which was intended to be created just north of the aqueduct.3 Although it is likely that Thomas Dadford junior was involved with the latter canal, it is more likely that its survey was undertaken by his younger brother, John.4 Shortly after the aqueduct's completion John Rennie reported that its design was seriously faulty, requiring the insertion of strong transverse tie bars and crosses to correct it.5 The masonry still remains in reasonably good condition even now, despite incessant erosion by the River Teme and having had no maintenance other than occasional clearing of the vegetation by Friends of the Leominster Canal.