--- In [email protected], "Mack, David" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > I assume you're thinking of Rodwell Tower (now 111 Piccadilly), built > over the second lock down and the pound above it in 1962. Although the > building plunged the area into darkness, and has several concrete > columns directly into the water, there was no loss of water area, and I > would be very surprised if the construction resulted in the loss of a > byewash. I cannot recall any other 1960/70s development elsewhere on > the Rochdale 9 which could have resulted in the loss of byewashes, so > unless the development happened very much earlier, I suspect the current > arrangements are historically authentic. > > David Mack
I think your suspicions may turn out to be incorrect ! I would have expected that all the "Rochdal Nine" locks had bywashes at one time. There is evidence of them at some locks and it would seem improbable and impractible that they would not be provided originally at all locks. Oxford Road lock was in my experience the worst "flooder" of the lot. I feel sure that the building on the off towpath side opposite is responsible for the loss of its bywash. Perhaps Martin C. will shed his expertise on the matter as has already been mentioned. Pete Stockdale Pete Stockdale
