Long Lane Canal Bridge

When 35 year old Ann Madeley came by this road in 1879 she was expecting her sixth child. She had come to the hamlet of Long Lane from her home in Sleap. She stayed in Long Lane and gave birth to her son Robert Madeley. So the first ever breath Robert took in his life was here in the hamlet of Long Lane. The date was 16th March 1879.

This Canal Bridge Ann travelled over was made to last. It has an admirable brickwork pattern with shiny black and red bricks and stone from the local brickworks. Robert's father was a bricklayer, and so was his grandfather. In fact the Madeleys' at that time were from a long line of bricklayers and builders. Is it possible that a Madeley did some work on this bridge? 

The goods to and from Long Lane hamlet came by barges that parked up at the Long Lane Wharf next to the bridge. 

The Bucks Head

Sadly, the bridge has been left for nature to savage and is not cared for.

It does not have listed protection and is well hidden from the public who travel on the new A442 bypass.

The Wharf has been demolished and a family residence built in its place.

 Access to the Bridge is opposite The Bucks Head public house on Queensway (A442).