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Here is a Full list of the contractors.

As shown in the Footpath Preservation Society’s report for 1929 there was concern about the loss of the footpaths that crossed the River Goyt and the Goyt Valley itself.

The water Board had to address this problem and so Contract No 7 was awarded to Joseph Parks and Son of Northwich to design and construct a footbridge across the valley that could be used when the valley was flooded.

The bridge was constructed before the reservoir was flooded as it would have been a much easier task. Even so when it was put in place it was high above the bottom of the valley.

It was called ‘The Footbridge at Head of Reservoir’ and was of the ‘Stiffened Suspension Type’.

The walkway was ‘Grill Flooring’ and it spanned 140 feet and was 4ft 6 inches wide.

It was beautiful.

So work began the work to build Fernilee reservoir. There is a dedicated album on our sister site sites.google.com/view/whaleybridgephotos where there are many photographs of the construction of the reservoir so they are not going to be repeated here.

1932 .. and that was the Goyt Valley

April 1936 New Derbyshire Lake

Farms at Fernilee 1932.36.38

Stockport Advertiser - History of Stockport

The hamlet of Goyt’s Bridge and Errwood Hall were destroyed in the 1930s, the reason for the demolition was given by the Stockport Water Board that they were afraid of pollution into the Fernilee Reservoir.

Here is a video of the Goyt Valley taken in 1932, on You Tube. Goyt’s Bridge was flooded when Errwood reservoir was built. Click on the i for information on the video. Thanks to David Stirling for making this possible.