As Britain's railways expanded during the 19th century, iron lattice girder bridges became a feature of the network. Subsequently, railway companies began taking over the older canal companies and soon lattice girder bridges were being constructed on canals as well.

The Ashton, Peak Forest and Macclesfield Canals were acquired by the Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway Company on the 1 Jan 1847 to become collectively known as the Western Canal. An undertaking of the new owner was to replace several original wooden footbridges with lattice girder footbridges. Seven of these bridges have been identified but their dates of construction are unknown.

• Jeremy Brook FootbridgeAshton Canal at the bottom of Pottinger St, Ashton-under-Lyne. This is an arched lattice girder bridge in contrast to the others whose decks were either constructed with very shallow bows or were flat. This bridge is still extant.
• Rosthern's FootbridgeStockport Branch of the Ashton Canal, North Reddish. This bridge is no longer extant.
• Pinch Farm (or Occupation) FootbridgeHollinwood Branch of the Ashton Canal above Waterhouses Locks, Daisy Nook Country Park. This bridge was badly damaged by vandals in 2011 and it was demolished by Oldham Borough Council in Apr 2016.
• Stanley FootbridgeLower Peak Forest Canal, off Astley St and Charles St, Dukinfield. This bridge was demolished sometime between 1965 and 1974 and was not replaced.
• Apethorn FootbridgeLower Peak Forest Canal at the bottom of Apethorn Ln, Hyde. This bridge has been demolished and replaced.
• Whaley Bridge Junction FootbridgeUpper Peak Forest Canal at Bridgemont. This bridge was demolished in Apr 1978 and then replaced with a modern one.
• Hagg Farm FootbridgeMacclesfield Canal, south of Higher Poynton on the approach to Red Acre Aqueduct. This bridge is still extant but the adjacent swivel bridge was demolished in the 1970s.

Jeremy Brook Footbridge on the Ashton Canal at the bottom of Pottinger St, Ashton-under-Lyne, Feb 2006.

This view is looking towards Guide Bridge.

Rosthern’s Footbridge on the Stockport Branch of the Ashton Canal, North Reddish, looking north, 1950s.

This bridge was situated to the west of Harrogate Rd in the vicinity of Wharfedale Rd. It took its name from the adjoining Rosthern’s Coal Wharf. The chemical works of C Lowe & Co was on the offside of the canal (to the right of the viewpoint).

Formerly, this bridge was accompanied by a swivel bridge on the far side. Although this has been removed, it is just possible to make out some of the stone foundations.
Courtesy: C&RT

Pinch Farm (or Occupation) Footbridge on the Hollinwood Branch of the Ashton Canal above Waterhouses Locks, Daisy Nook Country Park, Mar 1983.

This view is looking towards Iron Aqueduct over Crime Ln, which is just beyond the bridge.

Pinch Farm (or Occupation) Footbridge looking towards Waterhouses Junction and Waterhouses Top Lock, Jul 2006.

Stanley Footbridge, which connects to Astley St and Charles St, Dukinfield, 1957.

This view is looking towards Hyde with Stanley Swivel Bridge in the foreground.
Courtesy: C&RT

Apethorn Footbridge on the Lower Peak Forest Canal at the bottom of Apethorn Ln, Hyde, Feb 1979.

This view is looking towards Hyde.

Whaley Bridge Junction Footbridge on the Upper Peak Forest Canal at Bridgemont, Sep 1977.

Below the footbridge is the main line of the canal to Bugsworth Basin.

Seven months later, this bridge was demolished by British Waterways.

Hagg Farm Footbridge on the Macclesfield Canal at Higher Poynton, looking south, Dec 2011.

A short distance beyond this bridge there was formerly a towpath bridge over the short Red Acre Arm of the canal.