Barton-upon-Irwell

Designation date	1976
Area	5.83 ha (14.43 acres)
Listed buildings	2 (within the Salford boundary)

Background information

The Barton-Upon-Irwell Conservation Area is centred on the famous Barton Swing Aqueduct which was constructed between 1890 and 1894 to replace Brindley’s stone aquaduct of 1761 carrying the Bridgewater Canal across the River Irwell. The close proximity of this engineering masterpiece and the contemporary swing bridge is unique.

To the north the Bridgewater Canal and Barton Road lead into a pleasant area of late 18th and 19th century brick houses and shops and also the site of the Barton Methodist Chapel. This was a modest Georgian Chapel that, through neglect and disrepair, was demolished to allow the redevelopment of the site with sheltered housing. The three extensive graveyards ( one fronting Barton Lane and two to the rear of the site) remain, although most of the gravestones have been removed to allow landscaping and carparking. Some Victorian Monuments remain to the rear of the site. The village did not expand across the River Irwell partly because of the physical barrier, but mainly because the land was part of the park attached to Trafford Hall.

That part of the conservation area south of the Manchester Ship Canal (lying within Trafford MBC's area) is still used for agriculture which originally was the main employer of labour in the area.

The conservation area was extended in 1987 to include an additional strip of land to the north of the Manchester Ship Canal and west of the swing bridges, together with the housing which occupied it.

Update

In recent years several new dwellings have been erected, in the parcels of land either side of the aquaduct, close to the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal Successful enhancement schemes have improved the visual amenity considerably. The walkways along the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal and around the base of what remains of the original aquaduct have been made accessible and are now sensitively landscaped to include seating areas. It is hoped that the derelict shops at the junction of Barton Road and Peel Green Road will soon be renovated and converted to dwellings.

In March 2002, Trafford MBC approved the reduction in size of the conservation area within their borough to the boundary of the graveyard at the rear of All Saints Church.

Location	Name	Grade
Salford	Barton Aquaduct Swing Bridge	Grade II*
Salford	Barton Road Swing Bridge	Grade II*
Trafford	Barton Aquaduct Swing Bridge	Grade II*
Trafford	Barton Road Swing Bridge	Grade II*
Trafford	All Saints Church and Friary	Grade I
Trafford	All Saints Presbytery	Grade I