Leeds & Liverpool canal

IMPROVING ACCESS and inspiring active living along Leeds & Liverpool Canal

by

Web Editor

–

August 12, 2025

A newly upgraded two-mile stretch between Bridge 187 in Kildwick and Bridge 191A in Silsden, known as the ‘Missing Link,’ is the final section of unsurfaced historic towpath in Yorkshire to be improved by the Canal & River Trust. Built more than 200 years ago as the longest single canal for the passage of boats,…
Continue reading »
CANALS can help tackle UK crises

by

Web Editor

–

February 1, 2025

CANALS can help tackle three crises facing the UK today – erosion of biodiversity, public health and climate change – according to a new report. The report demonstrates how the UK’s unique network of historic canals, a legacy of the Industrial Revolution, are being repurposed to address some of the greatest challenges facing society. The…
Continue reading »
LEEDS & LIVERPOOL CANAL: History in Felt!

by

Web Editor

–

September 21, 2024

The history of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal is the focus of West Yorkshire felt artist Janine Jacques’ latest exhibition. Sally Clifford finds out more. BUILT 200 years ago, the Leeds & Liverpool Canal was one of the most important waterway trade routes through the region. Coal and textiles were among the important cargo carried…
Continue reading »
Vandals deface newly painted artwork

by

Web Editor

–

November 30, 2023

Within hours of its completion a beautiful canalside mural – designed to promote well-being – was defaced. Sally Clifford finds out more. WHEN the canalside mural he’d painstakingly spent a week creating was defaced, Jaydon Rowbottom decided to write those who’d done it a letter. Unconventionally, he didn’t put pen to paper; his medium was…
Continue reading »
Blocked towpath cleared

by

Colin Wareing

–

October 27, 2023

Contractors have cleared the Leeds & Liverpool Canal towpath blocked by a fallen tree at the back of the Old Hall in Rufford, West Lancashire. The trunk did not help the effects of Storm Babet at ground level being fairly rotten. The tree was removed from the canal the following day to allow navigation to resume.…
Continue reading »
Stretch of the Leeds and Liverpool reopens

by

Colin Wareing

–

August 19, 2023

Repairs have been completed on Leeds and Liverpool to a leak through the wash wall between bridges 32 and 31 near Burscough in West Lancashire on Wednesday the 16.8.2023. A leak had been detected through the wash wall along the towpath side with the canal flowing into an adjacent farm field. On Sunday the 16th of…
Continue reading »
Latest Stoppage on the Leeds & Liverpool

by

Colin Wareing

–

July 18, 2023

A leak had been detected either from damage to a culvert that carries a field drainage ditch under the canal or the canal wash wall with the canal flowing into an adjacent farm field. Attempts were made to stop the water flowing through the wash wall with a plastic fibre sheet, but this didn’t stem…
Continue reading »
Swing bridge closed after balustrade collapse

by

Colin Wareing

–

July 6, 2023

UPDATE: Contractors have successfully removed the damaged balustrade. Whilst further repair works are conducted the bridge will be left in the open position to allow navigation to resume. The Canal & River Trust is now working with its contractors carry out the repairs to reinstall the damaged parts over the next few weeks. REPAIR work…
Continue reading »
Flotilla recreates historic journey

by

Web Editor

–

May 11, 2023

An important milestone was marked on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal on Easter Saturday. Sally Clifford went along. THE gathering crowd for the departure of the heritage boat Kennet symbolised the significance of the occasion. Leading the flotilla of 12 boats – piloted by members of Craven Cruising Club and Airedale Boat Club – out…
Continue reading »
Exploring the Leeds & Liverpool Canal

by

Arianne Davey

–

December 9, 2022

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal offers 127 miles of walking, boating, wildlife-watching and all-round relaxation. Leaving Liverpool, the canal passes through East Lancashire and then crosses Pennine countryside and picturesque villages on the edge of the Yorskhire Dales before reaching Leeds.
Continue reading »
100th Anniversary of the Bradford Canal Closure

by

Web Editor

–

July 13, 2022

On the 15th July, 2022, it will be exactly 100 years since the last commercial boat descended the Bradford Canal to Shipley. The canal had a chequered early history, from being central to the development of the town in the late-18th Century, to being blamed for a cholera epidemic in the 1850s. This resulted in…
Continue reading »
Stoppages: Winter works west of Wigan

by

Colin Wareing

–

December 28, 2021

AS PART of the annual winter stoppage programme on the inland waterways, work has been taking place at Dean Lock to the west of Wigan on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal, writes Colin Wareing. Canal & River Trust workboat Murillo was used to transport materials that had been loaded at the nearby road bridge at…
Continue reading »
DISCOVER NEW WAYS TO ENJOY SEFTON’S CANAL

by

Mark Lancaster

–

September 21, 2021

The Canal & River Trust charity is encouraging Sefton residents to join in with new creative arts projects and walking and paddling activities this autumn along the beautiful Leeds & Liverpool Canal. An amazing new mural, created by local artist Stella Lang, from Bootle’s SAFE Regeneration centre, now adorns a waterside wall below the Strand…
Continue reading »