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...
Category: WATERWAYS
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal (Restoration) Maps – FREE
Free Maps These are my free maps covering the Herefordshire & Gloucestershire Canal Canal. Download these free maps (from the links at the end) to see how good my maps are, and to check...
Hollinwood Canal – Route
See also … Maps Virtual Cruise Features History The Hollinwood Canal is derelict and navigation is no longer possible. It ran to the east of Manchester, heading generally northwards from the Ashton Canal at Fairfield...
Hollinwood Canal – History
The Manchester & Ashton Under Lyne Canal, now know simply as the Ashton Canal, ran east from Manchester to Ashton Under Lyne. The Stockport Branch Canal linked the canal to Stockport. The Hollinwood Branch...
Hollinwood Canal – Features
Distances are measured from Fairfield Junction with the Ashton Canal. Kilometerage Feature 00.000 Fairfield Junction with the Ashton Canal. 00.230 Manchester Road Bridge. 00.590 Harrison’s Bridge. 00.955 Medlock Street Bridge. 01.255 Swing Bridge. Gone. 01.730...
Hollinwood Canal – Maps
Maps of the Hollinwood Canal are available for download – FREE. The maps cover the Hollinwood Canal, including the Fairbottom Branch, plus the Werneth Branch Canal and the Stockport Canal, all in one map....
Fairbottom Branch of Hollinwood Canal – Features
Distances are measured along the Hollinwood Canal from Fairfield Junction with the Ashton Canal. Kilometerage Feature 04.200 Waterhouses (Fairbottom) Junction with the Hollinwood Canal. 04.685 Aqueduct. 04.905 Aqueduct. 05.065 Aqueduct. 05.345 Bardsley Bridge. Bridge...
Hollinwood and Stockport Canals Maps – FREE
Free Maps These are my free maps covering the Hollinwood and Stockport Canals. Download these free maps (from the links at the end) to see how good my maps are, and to check you...
Huddersfield Canals Maps
Download maps of the Huddersfield Canals. The most up to date and clearest maps of the Huddersfield Canals are available for download. View on your computer, laptop, smart phone, or tablet, or print if...
Tipton Junction
The Old Main Line of the Birmingham Canal Navigations passes Tipton Junction between Birmingham and Wolverhampton.
Kennet & Avon Canal Maps
Download maps of the Kennet & Avon Canal. The most up to date and clearest maps of the Kennet & Avon Canal are available for download. View on your computer, laptop, smart phone, or...
Selly Oak Junction
< Next Lapal Canal JUMP TO> < Hawne Basin Hawne Basin > The Dudley No 2 Canal once came through the building site to meet the Worcester & Birmingham Canal near the centre of the photo. The...
Selly Oak Junction
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > Looking north, along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal towards Birmingham from Bristol Road Bridge 80. The Dudley No 2 Canal once came in from the left,...
Unrestored Lapal Canal
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > Looking down from a modern road bridge the line of the Lapal Canal can be seen, with the towpath still used as a footpath. The next...
Restoration Started
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > A section of the Lapal Canal has been dug out and its starting to collect water after rain. The next photo (towards Selly Oak) shows a...
Harborne Lane Bridge
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The modern Harborne Lane Bridge was constructed with navigation clearances and a channel in anticipation of restoration of the Lapal Canal. The recent excavations have created...
Weoley Park Bridge
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > Weoley Park Bridge is the first traditional bridge still standing at the Selly Oak end of the Lapal Canal. Waterway and Kilometerage LAPAL 00.470.02 OS Grid...
Channel Holding Water
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The channel still holds water in places after Weoley Park Bridge where it passes close to the houses. Waterway and Kilometerage LAPAL 00.530 OS Grid Reference...
Lapal Canal Footpath
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > There’s a good footpath along the line of the Lapal Canal where it’s easy to forget there are houses close to each side of the route....
Footpath along the Lapal Canal
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The footpath continues along the line of the Lapal Canal. Waterway and Kilometerage LAPAL 01.425 OS Grid Reference SP 03024 82889 Date and Time 150929 094652...
Missing Aqueduct
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The footbridge over the stream is in place of a former aqueduct. Restoration of the canal will require replacement of the aqueduct. Waterway and Kilometerage LAPAL...
Walking the Lapal Canal
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > Just imagine the canal heading straight ahead. A footpath crosses from left to right and a new footbridge will maintain that walking route. Waterway and Kilometerage...
Somery Road Bridge
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > Somery Road Bridge is still standing and this is where walkers have to leave the canal route for a short while. Beyond this bridge (to the...
Lapal Tunnel Entrance
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > We’re standing on the line of the canal. As the land rises ahead the canal would have entered a gradually deepening cutting and, about three quarters of...
Lapal Tunnel
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > We are close to the mouth of Lapal Tunnel which would have been much lower than current ground level so the canal can pass under the...
Proposed line of Lapal Canal
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > Around 250m beyond the previous photo, after passing under the roads the canal is very quickly back into open countryside. The Lapal Canal will climb through...
Line of the Lapal Canal
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The Lapal Canal will continue to climb through several more single locks as the hillside gradually rises towards the summit. A footpath follows the general line of...
Walking the Lapal Canal
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The gentle slope of the path following the general line of the Lapal Canal over the top of the hill indicates the likely position of one...
Thirsty Work
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > This squirrel hardly took any notice of me as I walked past – the wildlife seems used to humans walking past and probably won’t mind us...
Line of the Lapal Canal
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > Looking along the original alignment of the Lapal Canal. The proposed route over the top of the hill will descend to the same level near the...
Halesowen Abbey
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The Lapal Canal will pass close to the ruins of Halesowen Abbey, established in 1218. This is the nearest anyone can get to the abbey as...
Crossing on the Level
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The original route of the Lapal Canal, as the Dudley No 2 Canal crossed here at road level, passing just to the right of the bus...
Dudley No 2 Canal Route
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The photo is taken alongside the bus stop in the next photo (towards Selly Oak) where the footpath follows the route of the Dudley No 2 Canal,...
Lapal Canal Route
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The towpath and route of the Lapal Canal can be followed as it passes between the houses. Waterway and Kilometerage LAPAL 07.775 OS Grid Reference SO...
Lapal Canal Alignment
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The route of the Lapal Canal, now using the route of the former Dudley No 2 Canal is easily identified. Waterway and Kilometerage LAPAL 08.000 OS...
Narrows of Former Stopgate
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The narrows of a former stopgate are still present, just waiting for narrowboats to squeeze through the gap. Waterway and Kilometerage LAPAL 08.180 OS Grid Reference...
Bulrushes fill the Lapal Canal
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > Towpaths along both sides of the Lapal Canal, now using the route of the former Dudley No 2 Canal, make a popular circular walking route for...
Feeding Time
< Next Lapal Canal Next > < Hawne Basin Selly Oak > The local wildlife have trained the locals to feed them where the Lapal Canal is in water where it uses the former Dudley No 2 Canal’s...
Lee & Stort Navigations Maps
Download maps of the Lee & Stort Navigations. The most up to date and clearest maps of the Lee & Stort Navigations are available for download. View on your computer, laptop, smart phone, or...
Lapal Canal (Restoration) Maps – FREE
Free Maps These are my free maps covering the Lapal Canal. Download these free maps (from the links at the end) to see how good my maps are, and to check you can install...
Leeds & Liverpool Canal Maps
Download maps of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. The most up to date and clearest maps of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal are available for download. View on your computer, laptop, smart phone, or...
Lichfield Canal (Restoration) Maps – FREE
Free Maps These are my free maps covering the Lichfield Canal. Download these free maps (from the links at the end) to see how good my maps are, and to check you can install...
Llangollen Canal Maps
Download maps of the Llangollen Canal. The most up to date and clearest maps of the Llangollen Canal are available for download. View on your computer, laptop, smart phone, or tablet, or print if...
Macclesfield Canal Maps
Download maps of the Macclesfield Canal. The most up to date and clearest maps of the Macclesfield Canal are available for download. View on your computer, laptop, smart phone, or tablet, or print if...
Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Maps
Free Maps These are my free maps covering the Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal. Download these free maps (from the links at the end) to see how good my maps are, and to check...
Manchester Ship Canal Maps
Download maps of the Manchester Ship Canal. The most up to date and clearest maps of the Manchester Ship Canal are available for download. View on your computer, laptop, smart phone, or tablet, or...
Junction with the River Irwell
< JUMP TO M&SJ Canal Next > < Rochdale Canal Jn Rochdale Canal Jn > The Manchester & Salford Junction Canal enters the River Irwell under the lift bridge. The first lock is immediately behind the...
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