Footbridge over the Canal
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > The modern footbridge stands ready to cross the canal where the new route curves around the end of the retail park near...
Category: WATERWAYS
The new Route is Reserved
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > The grassed area along the edge of the retail park next to Newtown Road marks the new route for the restored Herefordshire &...
Proposed New Alignment of the Canal
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > The proposed new alignment for the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal comes towards the camera near the centre of the picture. The old...
No Trace of the Canal
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > The footpath comes close to the original alignment of the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal which came towards the camera between the road...
Little Trace of the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > Walking along the footpath around these works permits occasional glimpses of the original route of the canal, running left to right close...
Over the Top of Aylestone Tunnel
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > The path follows above the first half of Aylestone Tunnel, then we must take to separate footpaths and roads which merely follow the...
Difficult to Identify the Canal Route
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > The footpath climbs to pass over the mouth of Aylestone Tunnel, with the channel, to the right, becoming less distinct as we...
The Line of the Canal
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > A footpath follows the line of the canal until it reaches Aylestone Tunnel. Here the line, to the right of the tree,...
Slipway for Visiting Boats
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > The prepared section of channel has a slipway allowing visiting boats to be launched. It won’t be long before there’s a little...
Prepared Channel towards Hereford
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > Looking towards Hereford the channel has been prepared for around 350m (380 yards). The buildings glimpsed to the right are in the area...
The Channel is Almost Ready for Boats
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > About 200m south of Roman Road Bridge (through the trees straight ahead) the channel has been prepared and is starting to look...
South of Roman Road Bridge
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > Looking south from Roman Road Bridge there’s a narrow channel through the trees which still holds water. It might be a messy...
North of Roman Road Bridge
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > Looking north from Roman Road Bridge the restored Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal will come towards us and pass under our feet. Signs...
Roman Road Bridge
< Next H&G Canal Next > < End of Navigation Entry to Hereford > The Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal enters Hereford under Roman Road Bridge, identified by the hump in the road to maintain navigation clearances,...
The Approach to Hereford
< Next H&G Canal JUMP TO > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > Looking north from the top of Aylestone Hill, this shows the route the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal follows into Hereford. Having passed...
Mersey Gateway
The Mersey Gateway project will provide a new road link to relive pressure on the existing road bridge at Runcorn. It’s being constructed to the east of the existing bridge, and scheduled for completion in...
How Big Is Your Bridge?
On the way back from seeing progress with repainting our boat in the autumn I took up an invitation to visit Willow Wren Training. They are excavating the arm at their training centre which...
Runcorn Locks
Runcorn Locks once linked the Bridgewater Canal to the Runcorn & Weston Canal, the Manchester Ship Canal and, previously, the River Mersey. History Opened in 1776, the Bridgewater Canal was linked to the River...
Runcorn & Weston Canal
The Runcorn & Weston Canal ran parallel to the River Mersey, through the outskirts of Runcorn, for 2.4km (1.5 miles). At the southern end it joined the Weston Canal of the River Weaver Navigation through...
Bottom of Runcorn Old Locks
< JUMP TO Bridgewater Canal Next > < Top of Locks R&W Canal Jn > The bottom of Runcorn Old Locks leads onto the Manchester Ship Canal, having previously joined the River Mersey before the ship...
Hidden but not Lost
< Next Bridgewater Canal Next > < MSC Jn R&W Canal Jn > The bottom pair of staircase locks originally linked to the River Mersey, then linked to the Manchester Ship Canal after its construction. The trees...
End of the Runcorn & Weston Canal
< Next Bridgewater Canal Next > < MSC Jn Top of Locks > < Next Runcorn & Weston Canal JUMP TO > < River Weaver Jn River Weaver Jn > The Runcorn & Weston Canal once came...
Junction with the Runcorn & Weston Canal
< Next Bridgewater Canal Next > < R&W Canal Jn Top of Locks > After descending through four pairs of staircase locks, and before the final fifth pair, the Runcorn Old Locks line met the...
Seats instead of Gates
< Next Bridgewater Canal Next > < R&W Canal Jn Top of Locks > The gate recesses in the locks have been repurposed for the seats. Hopefully they will be used for gates again...
Looking up Runcorn Old Locks
< Next Bridgewater Canal Next > < R&W Canal Jn Top of Locks > The stonework marks the position of the five pairs of staircase locks for the line of Runcorn Old Locks. To the...
Stonework for the Locks
< Next Bridgewater Canal Next > < R&W Canal Jn Top of Locks > The stonework clearly shows the position of the staircase locks. We’re standing at the top gates, with the seat positioned in...
Down the Staircase Locks
< Next Bridgewater Canal Next > < R&W Canal Jn Top of Locks > Looking down the staircase locks where the Manchester Ship Canal and River Mersey can just be seen between the buildings in...
Looking down Runcorn Old Locks
< Next Bridgewater Canal Next > < R&W Canal Jn Top of Locks > A footpath wanders gently down the line of Runcorn Old Locks, passing through the centre of the lock chambers. There were...
Railway Viaduct is still there
< Next Bridgewater Canal Next > < R&W Canal Jn Top of Locks > Looking up the line of Runcorn Locks the two arches of the railway viaduct that once straddled the two lines of...
Limit of Navigation
< Next Bridgewater Canal JUMP TO > < R&W Canal Jn MSC Jn > The limit of navigation on the Bridgewater Canal is Waterloo Bridge at Runcorn. Immediately beyond is the approach road for the Runcorn...
End of the Runcorn & Weston Canal
< Next Runcorn & Weston Canal JUMP TO > < River Weaver Jn River Weaver Jn > < Next Bridgewater Canal Next > < MSC Jn Top of Locks > We’re standing at the end of the...
Runcorn New Locks
< Next Runcorn & Weston Canal Next > < River Weaver Jn Runcorn Locks Jn > The line of Runcorn New Locks has been built over and we are looking down the flight which passes through...
The End of the Water
< Next Runcorn & Weston Canal Next > < River Weaver Jn Runcorn Locks Jn > The limit of the water on the Runcorn & Weston Canal. The remaining 1.7km (just over a mile) is filled...
Beyond the Second Bridge
< Next Runcorn & Weston Canal Next > < River Weaver Jn Runcorn Locks Jn > Beyond the second bridge the water finishes where it disappears from sight in this photo. The canal is filled in and,...
The First Bridge
< Next Runcorn & Weston Canal Next > < River Weaver Jn Runcorn Locks Jn > Looking back from the second bridge to the first, that has been infilled with a culver in the centre to...
The Second Bridge
< Next Runcorn & Weston Canal Next > < River Weaver Jn Runcorn Locks Jn > Looking from the first bridge to the second, this one is navigable, if only you could get a boat there....
Looking through the Bridge
< Next Runcorn & Weston Canal Next > < River Weaver Jn Runcorn Locks Jn > We’re standing on the first bridge of the Runcorn & Weston Canal and peering through the adjacent pipe bridge towards...
Derelict Entrance Lock
< Next Runcorn & Weston Canal Next > < River Weaver Jn Runcorn Locks Jn > The derelict entrance lock from the River Weaver leads onto the Runcorn & Weston Canal which is in water for...
Start of the Runcorn & Weston Canal
< Next Runcorn & Weston Canal Next > < River Weaver Jn Runcorn Locks Jn > Leaving the River Weaver, the Runcorn & Weston Canal climbed through one lock, now derelict. RAW 00.015.01 OS Grid Reference...
Junction with the River Weaver
< JUMP TO Runcorn & Weston Canal Next > < Runcorn Locks Jn Runcorn Locks Jn > Looking along the River Weaver towards Runcorn, with the Runcorn & Weston Canal diverging to the right. Waterway and...
Ravenhead Canal
< Next Ravenhead Canal Next > < First Last > Looking East along Elm Road. The Ravenhead Canal would probably have crossed below road level near the crest of the hill, where the 20 mph signs...
Ravenhead Canal
< Next Ravenhead Canal Next > < First Last > Looking west along Elm Road. The Ravenhead Canal would probably have crossed the line of the road between the 20 mph signs. Waterway and Kilometerage RAV...
Sankey Canal
The Sankey Canal is the name sometimes used for the St Helens Canal, partly because it used the line of the Sankey Brook when it was constructed. For consistency, I use the name St...
St Helens Canal
History The St Helens Canal ran from the River Mersey near Warrington to reach the outskirts of St Helens. It’s sometimes known as the Sankey Canal as it used the line of the Sankey Brook in...
End of the Ravenhead Branch
< JUMP TO Ravenhead Branch Next > < Boardman’s Bridge Jn Boardman’s Bridge Jn > We’re standing at the end of the Ravenhead Branch of the St Helens Canal. This final section of the canal closed...
Near the End
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > From Tavern Swing Bridge in the distance near the white building, the Ravenhead Branch once came towards the camera along what...
Canal Street
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > The final 400m (¼ mile) of the Ravenhead Branch once headed into the distance along what is, rather cheekily, called Canal...
Tavern Swing Bridge
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > Photographed just beyond the current limit of navigation of the Ravenhead Branch, this is where the canal once passed from where...
Ravenhead Branch – End of Navigation
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > This will be the limit of navigation on the Ravenhead Branch when it’s restored. Visitor moorings and a winding point are...
Limit of the Ravenhead Branch
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > The limit of navigation of the Ravenhead Branch of the St Helens Canal. The branch once continued for around 650m (700 yards) further...
Near the End
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > Very near the end of the St Helens Canal is passes between modern shopping outlets and car parking spaces. Waterway and...
Railway Bridge
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > The Railway Line through St Helens crosses a bridge over the towpath. It’s not clear if the bridge over the canal...
Glass Bridge
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > The glass sided footbridge links the two parts of Pilkington’s World of Glass in St Helens. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS-RB 24.790 OS...
Footbridge with clearance
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > The first bridge on the Ravenhead Branch is a footbridge with adequate clearances making navigation possible. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS-RB 24.700 OS...
Junction with the Boardman’s Bridge Branch
< Next Ravenhead Branch Next > < End of Navigation Boardman’s Bridge Branch Jn > Looking back towards the start of the Ravenhead Branch where the Boardman’s Bridge Branch once continued from the left to pass...
Junction with the Boardman’s Bridge Branch
< Next Ravenhead Branch JUMP TO > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > < Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < End of Navigation New Double Locks Jn > Where the Boardman’s Bridge Branch once went...
End of the Boardman’s Bridge Branch
< JUMP TO Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Locks Jn Ravenhead Branch Jn > Filmed from the junction with the Ravenhead Branch, the Boardman’s Bridge Branch once continues around 300m (330 yards) straight ahead,...
Junction with the Ravenhead Branch
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < End of Navigation New Double Locks Jn > < Next Ravenhead Branch JUMP TO > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > Looking from the inside of the curve...
Modern Low Bridge
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > With canal restoration seriously proposed it’s a little surprising that a recently installed footbridge has been constructed with such limited...
Wildlife on the Water
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The wildlife is quite happy with the restored sections of canal. In the distance is a railway bridge which, like...
Cruising through the Grass
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The line of the canal is still available for restoration where this hasn’t already been been done. Here the route...
Restored Already
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > Between the low bridges the canal is largely restored, just waiting for boats to cruise along. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS-BBB...
Causeways Block the Navigation
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > As the canal passes through St Helens there are several roads that cross the canal just above water level which will make...
Restored Branch
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > There’s nothing to stop boats cruising along this restored section of the Boardman’s Bridge Branch in St Helens. Note the...
Causeway and Bridge
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The first bridge, with the light coloured railings, has been replaced by a causeway and the road level will have...
Above the New Double Locks
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The two lock staircase at the end of the Boardman’s Bridge Branch of the St Helens Canal was restored some...
New Double Lock Footbridges
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > There are no walkways across the middle and bottom lock gates of the New Double Locks but there are footbridges...
New Double Locks
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The restored centre gates of the two lock staircase known as the New Double Locks have been allowed to deteriorate,...
New Double Locks
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The bottom of the two lock staircase, known as the New Double Locks. These were restored some time ago and...
Hidden Junction
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch Next > < Ravenhead Branch Jn New Double Locks Jn > The high water levels make it almost impossible to distinguish where the junction is. We are looking from the New...
Underwater Junction
< Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch JUMP TO > < Ravenhead Branch Jn End of Navigation > < Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > The picture is looking along the...
End of Navigation
< JUMP TO Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < Old Double Locks Jn New Double Locks Jn > The end of the Gerard’s Bridge Branch is to the left of the photo. The towpath, nearer the...
Flooded Towpath
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < End of Navigation New Double Locks Jn > The Gerard’s Bridge Branch comes towards us and finished to the left of the photo. The line of the water...
Underwater Junction
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > < Next Boardman’s Bridge Branch JUMP TO > < Ravenhead Branch Jn End of Navigation > Exceptionally high water levels after heavy...
High Water Levels
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > Exceptionally high water levels after recent heavy rain meant the towpath became flooded and is hard to distinguish from...
Merton Banks Bridge
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > Another bridge fixed close to water level. The name has evolved and appears as Irelands Brow Bridge and Islands...
Between the Buildings
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > Approaching St Helens the route of the canal is still protected as it’s squeezed between the industrial buildings on...
Low Footbridge
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > A low footbridge crosses the channel close to the normal water level. After recent heavy rain the water levels...
Overgrown Channel
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > It’s easy to walk or cycle along the route of the canal and, with a little work, it will...
Crossing the Weir
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch Next > < New Double Lock Jn Old Double Locks Jn > The footpath / cyclepath regains the line of the towpath to the west of Park Road. A bridge has...
Start of the Gerard’s Bridge Branch
< Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch JUMP TO > < New Double Lock Jn End of Navigation > < Next Blackbrook Branch JUMP TO > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > < JUMP TO St Helens Canal...
Limit of Navigation
< JUMP TO Blackbrook Branch Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Old Double Locks Jn > Looking back from the small basin at the limit of navigation on the Blackbrook Branch of the St Helens...
End of the Blackbrook Branch
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > There’s a small basin at the end of the Blackbrook Branch but nothing else to see. Some old references suggest the adjacent...
Stanley Mill
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Just a short distance from the path along the Blackbrook Branch of the St Helens Canal is the partially restored Stanley...
Overgrown Blackbrook Branch
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > The edges of the Blackbrook Branch are rather overgrown but the centre channel is kept free and used for drainage, especially...
Crane at Stanley Basin
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Cranes, like this replica, would have been used at Stanley Basin to lift goods on and off boats which would have...
Wagon at Stanley Basin
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Wagons, like this replica, would have been used to carry loads to and from Stanley Basin for loading to and from...
Stanley Basin
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Stanley Basin would once have been busy with boats being loaded and unloaded. It’s not clear if this was dug specially...
Blackpool Road Bridge
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > There’s very little clearance under Blackpool Road Bridge which carries a busy road across the canal. Providing an opening bridge here...
Channel of the Blackbrook Branch
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Rather overgrown with reeds the main channel of the Blackbrook Branch is still visible. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS-BB 21.250 OS Grid...
Blackbrook Branch Footbridge
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > A footbridge crosses near the start of the Blackbrook Branch. There’s also a small weir under the bridge. Waterway and Kilometerage...
Start of the Blackbrook Branch
< Next Blackbrook Branch Next > < End of Navigation Old Double Locks Jn > Looking back along the Blackbrook Branch to the Junction, where the black and white footbridge is just visible, with the end...
Start of the Blackbrook Branch
< Next Blackbrook Branch JUMP TO > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > < Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch JUMP TO > < New Double Lock Jn End of Navigation > < JUMP TO St Helens Canal...
End of the St Helens Canal
< JUMP TO St Helens Canal Next > < Widnes Earlestown > < Next Blackbrook Branch JUMP TO > < End of Navigation End of Navigation > < Next Gerard’s Bridge Branch JUMP TO > < New Double Lock...
Upper Staircase Lock
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > A footbridge carries the towpath across the top of the Old Double Locks. Immediately beyond is the junction which marks the end...
Former Swing Bridge
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > The extra stonework on the left indicates where a swing railway bridge once crossed the top lock, and a swing footbridge once...
Old Double Locks
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > After recent heavy rain, water cascades down through the former two lock staircase known as the Old Double Locks on the St...
Waterfalls Through The Locks
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > Water from local watercourses is diverted to flow along the old canal and cascades through the old staircase locks after heavy rain....
Old Double Locks
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > Looking down the Old Double Locks, with an impressive flow of water after recent heavy rain. Waterway and Kilometerage HELENS 21.165 OS...
Old Double Locks
< Next St Helens Canal Next > < Old Double Locks Jn Earlestown > This two lock staircase became know as the “Old Double Locks” to distinguish them from a newer two lock staircase built closer to...
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