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IWA Branch
Chester and District Branch
Navigation Authority
British Waterways
Navigation Road
Northwich
Cheshire
CW8 1BH
T: 01606 723800
F: 01606 871471
enquiries.hq@britishwaterways.co.uk
The river runs from Winsford to the Manchester Ship Canal at Weston Marsh Lock and connects to the Trent and Mersey Canal via the Anderton Lift.
The river runs for 20 miles or 32km with 5 locks.
Weston Point to Anderton
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
196ft | 35ft | 59ft | 10ft 6in |
59.73m | 10.66m | 17.95m | 3.2m |
Anderton to Winsford
Length | Beam | Height | Draught |
196ft | 35ft | 29ft 6in | 9ft 10in |
59.73m | 10.66m | 8.98m | 2.99m |
Boaters’ Services
Boatyards
Jalsea Marine Services
Repairs, emergency call out, pump out, diesel, gas, dry dock, cranage, slip way, chandlery
Weavership Yard, Off Darwin Street, NORTHWICH, CW8 1LB
Tel: 01606 77870
Visitor Attractions
The Salt Museum
162 London Road, NORTHWICH, CW9 8AB
Tel: 01606 41331
Fax: 01606 350420
Anderton Boat Lift
Lift Lane, Anderton, NORTHWICH, CW9 6FW
Tel: 01606 786777
Fax: 01606 871471
Historical Information
The river has long been used for the transport of salt. Between 1720 and 1829, Acts were passed to improve navigation, enabling the salt industry around Northwich, Middlewich and Winsford to flourish. The navigation was lucrative throughout the nineteenth century. The boat lift was opened at Anderton in 1875 to increase traffic between the Trent and Mersey Canal and the river. However, salt chutes also continued to be used to load salt from the canal barges. Chemical corrosion caused the original lift to corrode and, in 1906, a new lift was constructed. Air pollution caused this lift to corrode and it ceased operating in 1983. In 1986, the Anderton Boat Lift Trust was formed to promote its restoration and, in 1994, the lift was listed as an ancient monument. With support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, English Heritage, The Waterways Trust, the Friends of Anderton Boat Lift, the Anderton Boat Lift Trust, IWA and others, the lift was reopened in 2002.
Further Information
For books, maps, guides, videos, DVDs and gift on this waterway, click here
Websites
River Weaver Navigation Society
Local government links
