From Waterscape.com
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Olympic honour for Pontcysyllte Aqueduct
7th Nov 2011
Thomas Telford’s magnificent Pontcysyllte Aqueduct has been named as one of the alternative modes of transport that will be used during the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay. The aqueduct is one of just a few landmarks on the route of the Olympic Flame announced today by the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG). The Olympic Flame will travel over the aqueduct on 30 May 2012.
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Llangollen Canal – 1984
The Pontcysyllte Aqueduct is a 38 m high and 307 m long navigable aqueduct that carries the Llangollen Canal over the valley of the River Dee in Wrexham in north east Wales. Completed in 1805, it is the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain, a Grade I Listed Building and a World Heritage Site.
© Copyright Helmut Zozmann and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.Vince Moran, British Waterways’ operations director, said: “We are delighted that the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and Llangollen Canal World Heritage Site is to form part of the London 2012 Olympic Torch Relay Route. It is great to see that such a unique part of the UK’s heritage will be involved in this momentous occasion in the same year that the canals and rivers in England and Wales are set to be put into trust for the nation.”
Unique canal landmark
Sebastian Coe, Chair of LOCOG said: “We have worked hard to devise a route that achieves proximity to people while taking in the diversity of the UK’s landscape and landmarks. By taking in this area and Telford’s alternative mode of transport we are doing just that. This is the UK’s moment to shine and I want to encourage people across Wrexham to start planning how they can be part of this once in a lifetime opportunity and show their support for the inspirational torchbearers.”
Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Llangollen Canal (1997)
Completed in 1805, it is the longest and highest aqueduct in Britain, a Grade I Listed Building and a World Heritage Site.
© Copyright Graham Hogg and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.The 70-day Olympic Torch Relay will start at Land’s End, Cornwall on the morning of 19 May 2012. The Olympic Flame will travel an estimated 8,000 miles around the UK, giving thousands of communities and individuals their moment to shine. It will end by travelling down the River Thames to the Olympic Stadium, arriving on 27 July 2012 for the Opening Ceremony of the Games.
It has also been confirmed that the torch will travel by canal boat through the Black Country Living Museum on the Dudley Tunnel Branch on 30 June 2012.
Narrowboat emerging from Dudley Tunnel
Dudley Tunnel on the Birmingham canal is not open to craft powered by internal combustion engines. This electrically powered tour boat is emerging stern first.
The narrow tunnel was completed in 1792 and is 3154 yards in length.
Canal boat fender making course
19 November 2011 – 20 November 2011
National Waterways Museum
South Pier Road
Ellesmere Port
Cheshire
CH65 4FW
Related Waterways
Shropshire Union Canal »
A two-day course in making traditional fenders for canal boats.
During the weekend students can make two side fenders, a short button, a deck matt and have a go at splicing mooring lines. All materials provided.
To book, call 0151 355 5017.
National Waterways Museum
The National Waterways Museum has displays featuring old boats and artifacts illustrating life in bygone times on the waterways of England.
The city of Liverpool can be seen in the far distance on the other side of the River Mersey.
© Copyright Galatas and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
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