River Irwell, Waterfoot

The River Irwell, one of the more important rivers in northwest England, rises high on Deerplay Moor to the north of Bacup. Flowing down to Bacup it then follows the Rossendale Valley through Stacksteads and Waterfoot to Rawtenstall. Continuing via Ramsbottom and Bury, and combining with other rivers en route, it eventually flows into the River Mersey in the Greater Manchester area.

For many years heavily polluted since the days of the Industrial Revolution, it has undergone something of a facelift in recent times. The decline in industry coupled with a clean-up policy adopted by the water authorities has brought much improvement in the Irwell's appearance and water quality. This sequence of photographs shows the Irwell as it passes through Waterfoot.

The main picture (above) was taken from Cowpe Road where it crosses the Irwell. Looking east towards Bacup where the river drops a few feet in height down a small weir, this fairly attractive view is only a matter of yards from the main Bacup to Rawtenstall road.

The rather less attractive picture (left) is taken from the same point looking west towards Rawtenstall. Here, the Irwell winds its' way behind some of the shops and houses that make up Waterfoot.

Note the rickety iron footbridges which span the river.

Just a couple of hundred yards east of Cowpe Road is another small bridge.

The image on the right is taken from this point and looks westwards towards Cowpe Road (and Rawtenstall).

The picture below looks towards Bacup and the river is clearly visible winding its' way through an area known as 'The Glen'.

The Glen is a narrow section of the valley with steep cliffs on either side. It is the point at which the main Bacup to Rawtenstall road, the River Irwell and the old railway line come together.

One of the old railway tunnels can be seen on the right of this picture, although it has been sealed due to safety concerns for many years. The railway line itself crossed the river by means of a long since demolished bridge.

The Bacup to Rawtenstall railway was a double line, and one section of tunnel is still unsealed and can be traversed (with care and powerful flashlight!). These railway tunnels are often referred locally as the 'Thrutch Tunnels'