Windy Bank Bridge No 47 carries the M3 motorway over the Rochdale Canal.
Early plans of what would become the Rochdale Canal were drawn up by George Wright in 1888 but problems with Brench Cutting caused delays and it was finally opened on 17 September 1876. Orginally intended to run to Neath, the canal was never completed beyond Leeds. Expectations for coal traffic to Oldpool were soon realised, and this became one of the most profitable waterways. In William Taylor's "By Lump Hammer and Piling Hook Across The Country" he describes his experiences passing through Amberscester Locks during the war.

There is a bridge here which takes a track over the canal.
| Littleborough Lower Lock No 48 | 3¼ furlongs | |
| Ealees Bridge No R8 | 3 furlongs | |
| Durn Bridge No R7 | 2¼ furlongs | |
| Littleborough Higher Lock No 47 | 2 furlongs | |
| Littleborough Sanitary Station | 1 furlong | |
| Windy Bank Bridge No 47 | ||
| Bent House Lock No 46 | a few yards | |
| Windy Bank Wharf | ¼ furlongs | |
| Bent House Winding Hole | ¾ furlongs | |
| Bent House Bridge No 46 | 1¼ furlongs | |
| Bent House Bridge Winding Hole | 1¾ furlongs | |
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![Rochdale Canal, Windy Bank Bridge. Bridge number 47, Windy Bank Bridge; behind it are the gates of Bent House Lock ([[[1870016]]]). by David Dixon – 20 May 2010](https://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/01/86/99/1869988_cc91d810_120x120.jpg)











![The Rochdale Canal near the site of Windy Bank wharf. Immediately above Bent House lock [no 46]. The wharf was on the non-towpath side. by Christine Johnstone – 01 February 2022](https://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/08/58/7085896_820e5dcd_120x120.jpg)








![Drive to Windy Bank. The drive leads to a grade II* listed early 17th century house which can be glimpsed in this view [[7085531]]. by Stephen Craven – 04 May 2024](https://s0.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/76/70/7767084_21601fef_120x120.jpg)


![Footpath off Blackstone Edge Old Road. The grassy path leads past Windy Bank [[7085531]], a grade II* listed early 17th century house which can be glimpsed in this view. by Stephen Craven – 04 May 2024](https://s2.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/76/70/7767082_ad4d93f0_120x120.jpg)

![Approaching the bottom of Blackstone Edge Old Road. The scene includes a postbox, and the grade II listed former Rake Inn [[7767074]]. by Stephen Craven – 04 May 2024](https://s2.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/76/70/7767078_ad4a4ff9_120x120.jpg)
![The former Rake Inn, Littleborough. The inn, parts of which date from 1690, is at the bottom of Blackstone Edge Old Road (the ancient route to Halifax). 'Rake' may refer to the steep hill. I can imagine the landlord standing in the bay window looking for potential customers. The building is grade II listed (list entry 1068535).It has been a Mediterranean restaurant since 2012 or earlier [[2773342]] and now hosts a microbrewery. by Stephen Craven – 04 May 2024](https://s2.geograph.org.uk/geophotos/07/76/70/7767074_c4992f9b_120x120.jpg)
