New heritage board – Manchester Ship Canal

The district is rich in local industrial history and, to help remember an important part of this, HDT has installed a new heritage board depicting the building of the Manchester Ship Canal (MSC).

The MSC, an iconic engineering feat of the Victorian era, was a vital infrastructure to the economic success of Manchester during the 20th Century. When it opened in 1894 this 36-mile long and 8.5 metres (28 feet) deep inland waterway was the largest river navigation canal in the world and gave ocean-going vessels direct access to Manchester helping to create jobs, boost competition, and reduce transport costs.

The heritage board is sited at the entrance to Irlam Linear Park at the Cadishead by-pass end, with a view of the Manchester Ship Canal and Irlam locks.

To read the fascinating story of the Canal’s construction, and the many thousands of people involved in this, why not pop down. You can get to the site by taking a short stroll from Irlam Station through Station Park, down Preston Avenue and along the woodland path through Irlam Linear Park.

Alternatively, you can download a copy of the heritage board by clicking here

Posted on: 3rd March 2025