Concerns about the condition of the listed Barton Swing Aqueduct have led a local group to set up a petition to have the bridge restored. The swing aqueduct was built as part of the construction of Manchester Ship Canal and opened to traffic on January 1st 1894.

The 235ft long steel aqueduct, which weighs 800 tons, pivots on an island in the middle of the ship canal and swings full of water. The Grade II listed bridge is owned and maintained by Peel Ports (Manchester Ship Canal Company) who consulted the public in 2021 about restoring the swing bridge including the tow path along the swing aqueduct.

A spokesperson for Salford city council said: “We do appreciate and understand the feelings of local people on this issue…Officers from Salford city council are in early discussions with Peel Ports about their maintenance and repair of the bridge but no decisions have been made at this stage.”