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Building the Aqueduct

Work started on building the aqueduct on 25th July 1795. It took a further ten years to complete. Design changes, lack of money, and the need to concentrate on priorities elsewhere, for instance Chirk Aqueduct, delayed building work.

"The division of the canal between Chirk Bank and Pontcysyllte is composed of works more difficult of execution, than can perhaps anywhere be found within an equal distance of canal navigation."

Report to the Ellesmere Canal Co., 27th November 1805

Technical drawings, Pontcysyllte Aqueduct (view a larger version) ©The Waterways Trust

Telford was never keen on Turner’s proposal for a stone aqueduct with locks at both ends. He convinced the company to halt work on the masonry, while he and Jessop worked on a new higher design that required no locks. Progress was slow even after they decided on an iron trough supported on stone pillars. In 1800 Jessop even investigated whether a viaduct would be a cheaper way to connect the Ruabon collieries to the canal at Froncysyllte. Only in 1801 did the aqueduct finally get the go-ahead. Hazeldine won the contract for the ironwork and Telford’s team supervised the construction.

The official opening took place on 26th November 1805. It was a spectacular affair involving the owners of the canal company, the engineers, the workmen, the band of the Shropshire Volunteers in full uniform, and 8,000 spectators. Cannons were fired as six boats made the ceremonial first crossing of the aqueduct.

"It did not take ten years to build my aqueduct. We stopped for a while, as we had to build the Chirk aqueduct first. It is still there, next to that wretched railway viaduct."