The story of Chirk Aqueduct through the ages

Our timeline details the key milestones in its history, from its inception centuries ago, to how it today stands as an iconic structure in the Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal World Heritage Site.

1793

An Act is passed for the Ellesmere Canal, an ambitious scheme to link the Rivers Mersey, Dee and Severn.

1793

Principal Engineer William Jessop appoints Thomas Telford to supervise the works.

1794

The design for a large embankment near Chirk Castle vetoed by owner Sir Richard Myddleton - the canal is re-routed further away with a 10-arch aqueduct and tunnel.

1795

Jessop and Telford design a masonry aqueduct at Chirk with iron base plates instead of a layer of puddled clay, to reduce the weight on the piers.

The first section of the Ellesmere Canal opens between Ellesmere Port and Chester but the line on to Ruabon is abandoned due to the terrain and lack of water supply.

The route from the south is re-designed to end at Trevor with a tramway to Ruabon.

1796

17 June - the foundation stone is laid for an aqueduct over the River Ceiriog, 700ft in length and 70ft high, which crosses the border between England and Wales.

1799

Ironmaster William Hazeldine supplies the iron base plates from his foundry at Plas Kynaston near Trevor.

1801

In November Chirk Aqueduct, the highest in Britain, is finished for a cost of £20,898.

1802

By Christmas navigation is also open through Chirk tunnel as far as Froncysyllte.

1805

Telford’s huge Pontcysyllte Aqueduct opens, completing the route to Trevor Basin.

1808

The feeder canal from Trevor to Llangollen opens ensuring a constant water supply.

1846

The Ellesmere becomes part of the Shropshire Union Railways & Canal Company.

1848

Chirk railway viaduct built alongside the aqueduct – it is 28ft taller.

1870

Iron side plates added to the trough to alleviate leakage through the masonry walls.

1944

The canal closes for navigation, to be maintained only as a water supply feeder.

1948

Railways and canals are nationalised but the Ellesmere Canal continues to decay.

1949

Author TL Rolt succeeds at his third attempt to cross Chirk and reach Trevor Basin.

1963

Ownership passes to British Waterways.

1966

The Welsh half of Chirk Aqueduct is listed Grade II*.

1980s

The Ellesmere Canal now very popular for leisure boating is renamed the Llangollen.

1987

Belatedly the English half of the aqueduct is also listed Grade II*.

2008

Chirk Aqueduct is jointly designated a scheduled monument in Wales and England.

2009

Chirk Aqueduct included as part of the inscription of Pontcysyllte Aqueduct & Canal World Heritage Site.

2012

Ownership of the Llangollen Canal is transferred to the Canal & River Trust.