Bridge No 168 (Wardle Lock Branch)
Bridge No 168 (Wardle Lock Branch) carries a farm track over the Trent and Mersey Canal (Wardle Lock Branch).
The Trent and Mersey Canal (Wardle Lock Branch) was built by John Longbotham and opened on 17 September 1782. Orginally intended to run to Bolton, the canal was never completed beyond Macclesfield except for a two mile isolated section from Dudley to Falkirk. Expectations for iron traffic to Oldley were soon realised, and this became one of the most profitable waterways. "By Windlass and Lump Hammer Across The Wash" by Nicholas Edwards describes an early passage through the waterway, especially that of Leicester Aqueduct.

There is a bridge here which takes a major road over the canal.
| Middlewich Junction | ¼ furlongs | |
| Middlewich Junction Footbridge | a few yards | |
| Bridge No 168 (Wardle Lock Branch) | ||
| Wardle Lock Footbridge | ½ furlongs | |
| Wardle Lock No 4 | ¾ furlongs | |
The road bridge is a combined structure with the towing path bridge carrying the Trent and Mersey Canal Main line over the Wardle Canal branch; there is a significant wall separating the users of both bridges.
- Trent & Mersey Canal Society – founded in 1974 — associated with Trent and Mersey Canal
Mouseover for more information or show routes to facility
Nearest water point
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Wardle Lock No 4
Nearest rubbish disposal
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Wardle Lock No 4
Nearest chemical toilet disposal
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Wardle Lock No 4
Nearest place to turn
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Wardle Lock No 4
Nearest self-operated pump-out
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Wardle Lock No 4
Nearest boatyard pump-out
In the direction of Middlewich Junction
In the direction of Wardle Lock No 4
There is no page on Wikipedia called “Bridge No 168”



![Narrowboat turning south at Middlewich Junction [3]. A difficult turn onto the Trent & Mersey canal for a full-length boat, even without boats moored on the opposite bank. by Christine Johnstone – 30 April 2023](https://s1.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/50/98/7509897_52a914cb_120x120.jpg)
![Narrowboat turning south at Middlewich Junction [2]. A difficult turn onto the Trent & Mersey canal for a full-length boat, even without boats moored on the opposite bank. by Christine Johnstone – 30 April 2023](https://s2.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/50/98/7509890_5ef449ee_120x120.jpg)
![Narrowboat turning south at Middlewich Junction [1]. A difficult turn onto the Trent & Mersey canal for a full-length boat, even without boats moored on the opposite bank. by Christine Johnstone – 30 April 2023](https://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/50/98/7509880_085d04cb_120x120.jpg)













![Middlewich Junction, Trent and Mersey Canal (2). The cruiser seen [[521805]] emerging from Warle Lock has now passed under Bridge 168 and is turning northwards where it will begin the descent of the Middlewich Three locks. The 'Kings Lock' pub is seen on the right and to the right of that, the Trent and Mersey canal ascends the eponymous lock. The Three Locks and the descent towards the Mersey lie to the far left, while the section of canal, centre, under the POCHIN building, is a blind end used for mooring only. by Dr Neil Clifton – 13 April 1979](https://s2.geograph.org.uk/photos/52/18/521826_c5018ffe_120x120.jpg)

![The Wardle Canal . Taking a photo showing the full length of a canal sounds like quite a feat, but here it's not difficult. Allegedly the 'shortest canal in England', the Wardle covers the 47 metres between the lower gates of Wardle Lock on the Middlewich Branch of the Shropshire Union Canal with the Trent and Mersey Canal beyond Wardle Bridge. For a reverse view in 1979 when there was still commercial traffic on the canal, see [[521791]]. by Stephen Craven – 28 August 2022](https://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/35/14/7351408_e7710a3d_120x120.jpg)








