Colliery Village Howe Bridge Atherton

Howe Bridge takes its name from the railway bridge that used to span the B5215, with Howe Bridge station on the church side of the road. The bridge separated the “lower” village, privately owned houses, from the miners’ estate village at the “top.” Fletcher, Burrows and Company, owners of the Atherton Collieries, greatly expanded the village in the late 1860's and 1870's to house their growing workforce of mineworkers. Besides 200 cottages for their workers, they built shops, including a fish and chip shop, schools, adult education facilities, a bathhouse and a club. Recreational facilities included football and cricket.94-118 Leigh Road and 147-191 Leigh Road are listed Grade II.

Reference           Manchester Guardian 25 January 1888 page 8 – confirmation of architect