Strange structure

[boxlodge]

While cruising on the Huddersfield Canal a couple of years ago, we saw what looked like a derelict covered conveyor belt which had been cut off at the end.  It was at quite a height above the canal.  Can't remember the neares place.  Does anyone know what its purpose was?

[tartanwiz]

Such a thing would have been used to load barges with cargo.

[Gromit]

It could possibly have been part of the now disused (Hartshead) power station at Stalybridge. There was a sidings where coal was brought. This was then conveyed high over the canal to the main powerstation site to be burned. There is still some substations and transformers there, but the coolers and generating parts have gone.

There is a photo of it here...

http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/huddersfield/hnc34a.ht m

[boxlodge]

That sounds exactly it - many thanks Gromit.  Like the pictures!