Monument record 2482/1/0 - St.Helens Canal/Sankey Navigation

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Summary

The Sankey (St.Helens) Canal was the first artificial waterway in England. It was the pioneer of the Canal Age in England. It was built to carry coal from St Helens to the Mersey and then onto Liverpool. It ran from the upper limits of the navigable Sankey at Sankey Bridges to Haydock and Parr. It was authorised by an act of 1755 and opened in 1757. It was later extended to Fiddler's Ferry in 1771 and to Runcorn Gap (Widnes) in 1833. It eventually had 10 sets of locks.

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Full Description

Sankey Brook (St.Helens) Canal: authorised by act of 1755, opened in 1757 at a cost of £18,600. First artificial waterway in England. Built to carry coal from St Helens to the Mersey and thence to Liverpool. Ran from upper limits of navigable Sankey at Sankey Bridges to Haydock and Parr. Extended to Fiddler's Ferry in 1771 and further to Runcorn Gap (Widnes) in 1833. Eventually had 10 sets of locks (1).

Pioneer of the Canal Age in England (4).


<1> Hadfield C, 1970, The Canals of North West England (vols 1 &2 ), 2/470-1 (Book). SCH3088.

<2> Barker T C, 1990, The Sankey Navigation (Book). SCH3240.

<3> Ashmore, O, 1982, The Industrial Archaeology of North West England, /42 (Book). SCH3181.

<4> Grealey S, 1976, The Archaeology of Warrington's Past, /55-6 (Book). SCH3046.

<5> Crowe N, 1994, Canals, /17 (Oral Communication). SCH509.

Sources/Archives (5)

  • <1> Book: Hadfield C. 1970. The Canals of North West England (vols 1 &2 ). 2/470-1.
  • <2> Book: Barker T C. 1990. The Sankey Navigation.
  • <3> Book: Ashmore, O. 1982. The Industrial Archaeology of North West England. /42.
  • <4> Book: Grealey S. 1976. The Archaeology of Warrington's Past. /55-6.
  • <5> Oral Communication: Crowe N. 1994. Canals. /17.

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Location

Grid reference Centred SJ 55 88 (8518m by 9255m) (2 map features)
Map sheet SJ58NE
Civil Parish CUERDLEY, WARRINGTON
Civil Parish GREAT SANKEY, WARRINGTON
Civil Parish PENKETH, WARRINGTON
Civil Parish WARRINGTON, WARRINGTON
Civil Parish WINWICK, WARRINGTON
Historic Township/Parish/County CUERDLEY, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE
Historic Township/Parish/County PENKETH, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE
Civil Parish BURTONWOOD, WARRINGTON
Historic Township/Parish/County WIDNES, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE
Historic Township/Parish/County WINWICK WITH HULME, WINWICK, LANCASHIRE
Historic Township/Parish/County GREAT SANKEY, PRESCOT, LANCASHIRE
Historic Township/Parish/County BURTONWOOD, WARRINGTON, LANCASHIRE
Civil Parish RUNCORN & WIDNES NON PARISH AREA, HALTON

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Record last edited

Apr 23 2025 10:12AM