SD9354 : Milestone, Leeds & Liverpool Canal
taken 9 years ago, near to Gargrave, North Yorkshire, England
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is the longest canal in Northern England at 127 miles long. The first of the trans-Pennine canals it took 46 years to build at a cost of five times the original budget, mainly because of the length and complexity of the route. It passes through 91 locks with a summit level of 487 feet at Foulridge near Nelson and Colne. It was originally conceived in the 18th century to carry woollen goods from Leeds and Bradford and limestone from Skipton but in its 19th century heyday it carried stone, coal and many other goods. The impact of the railways was not as great as with other canals and commercial traffic continued along the main canal until 1964. Regular work stopped in 1972 when the movement of coal to Wigan Power Station ceased. In the latter part of the 20th century the leisure potential of the canal was developed and it is now a popular destination for cruising, fishing, walking and cycling. See Link for detailed information.
A milestone is one of a series of numbered markers placed along a road, canal, railway or sometimes paths at intervals of one mile or occasionally, parts of a mile. They are typically located at the side of the route. They are alternatively known as mileposts or mile posts (abbreviated MP on maps). Mileage is the distance along the route from a fixed starting point.
Milestones are constructed to provide reference points along the route. This can be used to reassure travellers that the correct route is being followed, and to indicate either distance travelled or the remaining distance to a destination.
Wikipedia: Link