Page updated 22 October 2005 

The Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Leeds & Liverpool Canal

General

Navigational Notes N97#5p70 N2k#5p70

Assistance from BW staff (Tel: 01925 847700) is effectively compulsory for those wanting to proceed through Netherton into Liverpool.  (See Note 4.)

Liverpool

River Mersey (Not covered)

Bridge 11 N97#5p73 N2k#5p73

Those not using the winding hole 300yds south of the bridge will find that assistance from BW staff (Tel: 01925 847700) is effectively compulsory for those wanting to proceed through Netherton into Liverpool.  (See Navigational Note.)

Bridge 17 N97#5p75 N2k#5p75 N03#5p83

Mersey Motor Boat club, by Dicconson's Bridge, offers diesel, pumpout and water. However it is a private AWCC club, so you might have to wait overnight for John or Eddie, who have the keys to the facilities. But it is the last 'watering hole' before the end of the canal at Eldonian Village, and the best overnight stop in the area.

Bridge 21 N97#5p75 N2k#5p75

The bridge is usually left open.

Bridge 30 N97#5p77 N2k#5p77

The bridge is usually left open.

Bridge 32 N97#5p77 N2k#5p77 N03#5p85

Lathom Marina no longer have diesel and offer few facilities, if any, for non-moorers.

Lathom Junction

Rufford Branch

Bridge 33 N97#5p78 N2k#5p78 N03#5p86

This bridge was fully automated in November 2002.

Bridge 36 N97#5p78 N2k#5p78 N03#5p86

This bridge has manually lowered road gates interlocked with automated swing mechanism.

Bridge 42 N97#5p82 N2k#5p82 N03#5p90

The Railway pub has been demolished.

Bridge 43 N97#5p82 N2k#5p82 N03#5p90

This swing bridge is normally left open.

Bridge 44 N97#5p82 N2k#5p82 N03#5p90

This swing bridge is normally left open.

Bridge 45 N97#5p82 N2k#5p82 N03#5p90

This swing bridge is normally left open.

Bridge 46 N97#5p82 N2k#5p82 N03#5p90

The pipe bridge shown east of the bridge is actually about 400m further east.

Wigan Junction

Leigh Branch

Lock 78 N97#5p86 N2k#5p86 N03#5p94

The shops referred to in Navigational Note 2 are east of Bridge 54 and include a Post Office, Spar Grocery, Kentucky Fried Chicken and various others.

Adlington N97#5p88

The addresses for the pubs Shepherd's Arms, Waggon and Horses and White Bear should be in Adlington, not Chorley.

Bridge 68 N97#5p89

The White Bear Marina has launderette facilities.

Bridge 68 N97#5p89 N2k#5p89 N03#5p97

The Waggon and Horses does not serve real ale.

Bridge 69 N97#5p89 N2k#5p89 N03#5p97

The pub symbol west of the bridge is for The Bridge Inn (situated east of the bridge). The 2003 edition says: (Tel: 01257 480507) Traditional local selling real ale and bar snacks lunchtime Mon-Sat. Pub games and outside seating.

The White Bear serves real ale. Its symbol, to the east of the bridge, is missing.

Bridge 78A N97#5p91 N2k#5p91

There is a missing Water Point symbol on off-side by the winding hole south of Botany Bridge.

Johnson's Hillocks Locks N97#5p91 N2k#5p91 N03#5p99

It is possible to wind immediately below the locks, where the original line of the Lancaster Canal leaves the Leeds and Liverpool line.

Bridge 89 N97#5p92

This is Ollerton Bridge No.3.

Bridge 90 N97#5p92

This is Ollerton Bridge No.2.

Bridge 91 N97#5p92

This is Ollerton Bridge No.1.

Bridge 91AA N97#5p92

The M65 Extension Bridge is now numbered and named Brimmicroft Bridge.

Blackburn

Lock 53 N97#5p93 N2k#5p93 N03#5p101

The lock is shown 50yds further east that it actually is.

Bridge 101 N97#5p93#5p94 N2k#5p93#5p94 N03#5p101#5p102

There is an ASDA Supermarket east of the bridge.

Bridges 104A N97#5p94 N2k#5p94 P98PW#5

This bridge (un-numbered in Pearson) has been replaced by a new bridge, 104AA, just west of Bridge 104B

Bridges 113-115 N97#5p94 N2k#5p94 N03#5p103

These bridges require a handcuff key and a windlass. (See end of the main text.)

Bridge 116 N97#5p96 N2k#5p96 N03#5p104

Smith's Swing Bridge is semi-derelict and locked open.

Bridge 123 N97#5p97 N2k#5p97

Knott's Bridge is No 123 and not No 128.

Bridge 126A N97#5p97 N2k#5p97 N03#5p105 P98PW#7

There should be a sanitary station symbol (separate water, refuse and sewage disposal points in editions earlier than 2003), on the off-side, for BW's Rosegrove facilities. They include an excellent shower block.

Burnley

Bridge 130D-130E N97#5p99

The facilities between these bridges have been replaced by those at Bridge 126A.

Bridge 130H N97#5p99 N2k#5p99 N03#5p107

The main text refers to a useful supermarket with footpath access south of the bridge.  it is no longer there.

Nelson

Bridge 141B N97#5p100 N2k#5p100 N03#5p108

There is a Morrison's Supermarket by the bridge (marked with a local food shop symbol in the 2003 edition).  Access is via a new landing stage with bollards between Bridges 141A and 141B.

Bridge 141C N97#5p100 N2k#5p100

This bridge is named Scotland Road Bridge on it's plaque.

Bridge 141D N97#5p100 N2k#5p100 N03#5p108

This bridge is crossed by Reedyford Road, so may also be marked incorrectly!

Bridges 142A-143A N97#5p100 N2k#5p100 N03#5p108

Nicholson's mapping in this area varies with each edition and would benefit from a more detailed inset. The original stone bridge (143, Barrowford Road Bridge), shown white, is in fact sandwiched between the M65 bridge (142A, Barrowford Locks Bridge ) and the new B6247 bridge (143A, Reservoir Bridge). The latter passes directly over Lock 49.

Lock 47 N97#5p100 N2k#5p100 N03#5p108

The Refuse Disposal point, part of the Sanitation Station facilities shown at the top lock, is now by this lock.

There's a report that there's "No sign of the pub marked on map in Higherford!"  [Both the Old Bridge Inn and the White Bear are answering their phones, so I assume this is a case of poor symbol placement.  Further reports awaited - Ed.]

Foulridge Tunnel N97#5p101 N2k#5p101 N03#5p109

Entry to Foulridge Tunnel (see Navigational Notes) is on the hour to 10 minutes past the hour when travelling south and on the half hour to 40 minutes past the hour when travelling north. Take care!  Boats have been seen to enter the tunnel against the clock and lights.

Foulridge Wharf N97#5p100 N2k#5p100

There is a winding hole just north of Foulridge wharf.

Bridge 175 N97#5p107 N2k#5p107

The bridge does not need a handcuff key.  (See Navigational Note 1.)

Bridge 176 N97#5p107 N2k#5p107 N03#5p115

There is a new BW water point, on the towpath side, immediately to the east of the bridge (Just a couple of hundred yards from that near Bridge 177!).

Bridge 177 N97#5p107 N2k#5p107 N03#5p115

There is a water point, on the towpath side, immediately to the west of the bridge. The bridge is partially mechanised and requires a BW key to operate.  (See Navigational Note 1.)

Skipton

Springs Branch (No Updates)

Bridge 179 N97#5p107 N2k#5p107

The facilities at Skipton are not on the towpath side opposite the Springs Branch junction.  They are on the NON-towpath side, just north of this bridge, the Gallows Footbridge, next to the supermarket car park (to which there is access).

Bridge 181 N97#5p107 N2k#5p107

The bridge needs a handcuff key, as do most following bridges.  (See Navigational Note 1.)

The Bay Horse is now called the Tadpole.

The King Henry VIII is now called Henri's and is now a Tapas Bar and Bistro.

Bridge 182A N97#5p107 N2k#5p107 N03#5p115

Bradley Swing Bridge, long subject to complaints of being heavy to open, has now been mechanised (BW key needed).

Bridge 187 N97#5p110 N2k#5p110 N03#5p118

This bridge is partially mechanised and requires a BW key to operate.

Bridge 189-191 N97#5p110 N2k#5p110 N03#5p118

These bridges are usually left open.

Bridge 197 N97#5p111#5p112 N2k#5p111#5p112

The Water Point shown on the off-side west of Stockbridge Swing Bridge is on the towpath side east of the bridge.

There is a Big Steak Pub, The Bridge, five minutes walk from the canal by the bridge over the River Aire on the Bradford Road, south of Bridge 197.

Bridge 197 N97#5p112 N2k#5p112#5p114 N03#5p122#5p114

Chandlery is available from Puffer Parts in warehouses 150yds south east of the bridge.  (Not by Bridge 198 as indicated in the 2000 Edition.)  Opening hours are irregular out of season.  Call 01535 605703.

Bridge 197A N97#5p113 N2k#5p113

The Marquis of Granby, canalside at the bridge, no longer opens weekday lunch times.

Bridge 198 N97#5p112 N2k#5p112

There is a new footbridge immediately west of the bridge.

ABC Swing Footbridge N97#5p112

The bridge is no longer fixed open.

The winding hole shown south of the bridge is, in fact, just to the north of it.

Bingley Five Rise Locks N97#5p112

Opening times for the locks vary (See the latest edition of Navigation Guide or ring 01274 611303).  They may be used only under the supervision of the lock keeper.

Boats up to 50ft LOA can wind at the top of the locks, if no boats are moored there.  There is a free of charge shower next to the tea room in the old stables at the top of the locks.

Bridge 208 N97#5p113

The page link to p112 should read p116.

Dobson Two Locks N97#5p116 N2k#5p116

The BW facilities are at the top of Dobsons Locks not below as the symbols indicate.

Apperley Bridge Mooring Basin N97#5p116#5p117 N2k#5p116#5p117

The basin is now owned by Calder Valley Marine and used for long-term mooring. (The map, therefore, should have a conventional Boatyard Symbol.)

Leeds

Bridge 221 N97#5p118 N2k#5p118

The Boatyard symbol should be west of Bridge 221.  However, it's reported that even if water, diesel and disposal are available at Fallwood Marina, there is nowhere for a visiting boat to moor for it, the whole waterfront being occupied by long term moorings.

Bridge 222 N97#5p118 N2k#5p118

A Morrisons/Boots development has opened by the bridge.  Morrisons is open until 21:00 most nights.  Kwik Save is also only a five minute walk away, toward the A65.  Other local amenities include Post Office (by Kwik Save), Fish and Chips (just up the hill from Kwik Save) and various burger/pizza places (behind Morrisons on the A65).

Bridge 225G N97#5p119 N2k#5p119

Yorkshire Hire Cruisers are reported only to be operating the Kirkstall Fly Boat, with no services to boaters at all.

River Lock

Aire and Calder Navigation

Leigh Branch

Wigan Junction

Leeds and Liverpool Canal

Moss Bridge N97#5p84 N2k#5p84

The towpath is on the west bank from Moss Bridge to the top of the page.

Bridge 4 N97#5p84 N2k#5p84

The Dover Lock Inn is not as described.  In 2000 it changed management and had no real ale and no food.  In May 2002 it was advertising food, but did not serve it on Mondays.

Bridge 8 N97#5p38#5p85 N2k#5p38#5p85

Plank Lane is a Lift Bridge (not a swing bridge).

Leigh Bridge

Bridgewater Canal

Rufford Branch

Lathom Junction

Lathom Junction

Lathom Junction N97#5p78 N2k#5p78 N03#5p86

The sanitary station at the junction includes shower facilities at rear (The door faces onto towpath bridge wall).

Bridge 6 N97#5p78 N2k#5p78 N03#5p86

This swing bridge is unusually stiff. You are recommended to have something to use as a lever on board (e.g. long mooring pin or short scaffolding pole).

There is a petrol station and "Wine Warehouse" shop beside the bridge.

Bridge 7 N97#5p78#5p81 N2k#5p78#5p81 N03#5p86#5p89

A marina is under construction (July 2003) south east of the bridge in the triangle of land bounded by the railway line.

Rufford N97#5p78#5p81 N2k#5p78#5p81 N03#5p85#5p89

The Hesketh Arms, in the village centre, has closed.

Tarleton

Bridge 12N97#5p81 N2k#5p81 N03#5p89

There are BW moorings north of the swing bridge, which may be used whilst waiting for passage through Tarleton Lock, perhaps at the Cock and Bottle! (Two hours, not four as you are informed when you book passage, is adequate allowance for your time to arrive before high tide.)

There is no coverage of the passage via the River Douglas to the:
Ribble Link