Roving Bridge

If a conventional bridge was built where the towpath changed sides, the boatman would have to unhitch the towline from the horse, and re-attach it when the horse was on the other bank. A roving bridge was designed so that the towline could remain attached throughout the crossing. The term changeline bridge was particularly used on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, while elsewhere they were usually called turnover bridges. They are often known as roving bridges, although this was not a term used by boatmen when the primary use of the canals was for commercial traffic. On some canals, bridges were built in two halves, with a slot between them, through which the towline could be passed. Such a…