The connection to Manchester was delayed by Sir Richard Brooke of Norton Priory. Concerned that boatmen might poach his game and wildfowl, Brooke did not want the canal to pass through his land. The Act included several stipulations: the canal should not come within 325 metres (1,066 ft) of his house; the towpath should be on the south side of the canal, furthest away from Brooke's house; there should be no quays, buildings, hedges or fences to obstruct the view; no vessels were to be moored within 1,000 metres (3,281 ft) of the house, other than during construction. The tow path therefore crosses to the south side here at Astmoor, which at the canal’s peak through the 19th and early 20th centuries was home to some of the most renowned tanneries in the country. One side of the bridge has a curved cobblestone ramp, this method of construction allowed the horses towing the canal boats to cross to the other side of the bridge without having to disconnect the tow rope. As per the agreement, once the canal passed Brooke’s estate further down the line, a second crossover bridge at Norton returns the towpath to the north side of the canal. Nowadays it links the area of Castlefields by foot to Astmoor industrial estate and Haddocks wood playing fields. The bridge does not appear to have listed status. GPS Coordinates: 53.341097, -2.695028