UK puts forward aqueduct built by Thomas Telford and William Jessop for world heritage protection

The UK is to put forward the Pontcysyllte aqueduct as its next candidate for UNESCO world heritage status.

If the bid is successful, the 19th century structure will rank alongside national monuments such as Stonehenge, Hadrian’s Wall and the Tower of London.

Pontcysyllte Aqueduct

The Pontcysyllte aqueduct, completed in 1808, was built by civil engineers Thomas Telford and William Jessop.

The structure is 11m long and stands 38m above the floor of the Dee Valley. Its construction took 13 years.

Today it is one of the busiest canal routes in the UK, with an estimated 15,000 boat crossings every year.

UNESCO will now examine the UK’s bid and make a decision on Pontcysyllte next year.