The Ashton Canal runs eastwards from the canal basin at Dale Street behind Piccadilly to Ashton under Lyne. In 1792 a group of shareholders put forward a proposal for an Act of Parliament to establish what was to be the Manchester, Ashton under Lyne and Oldham Canal.  Approval was given and the scheme was completed in 1796.  The canal's original purpose was to transport coal to Manchester.

The canal passes under Great Ancoats Street and into Islington Wharf with its landmark Isis residential tower building of red sandstone, copper and glass.