Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
mercial premises: Astmoor wharf and tannery, Highfield tannery, Halton Road gasworks and
wharf and the Bridgewater foundry.
The Sprinch was a loop containing Runcorn dockyard, left after a bend was straightened
in 1890. When a minor road was dualled to form the new A533 a further section of the loop
was lost, leaving two spurs. Victoria Dockyard was the main one on the canal, building and
repairing the Bridgewater Company's extensive fleet. Bridgewater Motor Boat Club, formed
in 1951, the oldest on the canal, use the crane every Sunday to remove the gate from the large
dry dock.
Stitts warehouse, the last remaining of the canal transhipment facilities at Preston Brook. It is now
home of Pyranha, Britain's largest canoe manufacturers. The water tower is visible on the hilltop
.
There were two flights of locks down to the Manchester Ship Canal. The New Line Flight
of ten double locks was closed in the 1960s and has been built over, the lock gates being re-
used on the River Avon. The Old Line of five double locks has been preserved. When the
second Mersey crossing is built, it is hoped that the flight will be restored, creating a second
Cheshire Ring via the River Weaver.
