The Bridgewater Canal The Bridgewater Canal was commissioned by Francis Egerton, the third Duke of Bridgewater. It was his intention to use the canal to transport the coal from his mines at Worsley to the heart of industrial Manchester. Known as "The Duke's Cut" it is generally regarded as Britain's first real canal. It opened in 1761 and continued to carry commercial freight until 1975. Today its function is recreational. The major presence of the
Bridgewater Canal in Manchester is in the Castlefield
Basin, Today the canal basin is criss-crossed by a
network of railway viaducts and the remaining warehouses
have been refurbished and turned into residential
apartments or commercial offices.    Reflecting the former
commercial nature of the area this modern structure
is called The Merchant's Bridge.
   After leaving Castlefield
the canal shadows
the River Irwell through Hulme and on into Trafford. Below, you see it
as it passes former warehouses in Trafford Park and
heads towards Manchester United's Old Trafford
stadium.
   Close Window |