Rochdale Canal

IWA Branch

Manchester - Manchester to the Lancashire/Yorkshire border

West Riding - Sowerby Bridge to Yorkshire/ Lancashire border

Navigation Authority

British Waterways

Waterside House,  Waterside Drive, Wigan, WN3 5AZ
Tel:01942 405771
Fax:01942 405710

enquiries.hq@britishwaterways.co.uk
www.britishwaterways.co.uk The Rochdale Canal runs between Manchester and Sowerby Bridge, with connections to the Calder and Hebble Navigation, the Bridgewater Canal and the Ashton Canal. 

The canal runs for 32 miles (51.5km) through 91 locks.
 

Boaters’ Services

Hire Boat Companies

Shire Cruisers
The Wharf, SOWERBY BRIDGE, HX6 2AG
Tel: 01422 832712
Fax: 01422 839565

www.shirecruisers.co.uk

Historical Information

The Rochdale Canal was the first of three canals to be built across the Pennines and was opened in 1804.  It was a busy commercial route during the nineteenth century but traffic declined during the First World War.  In 1952, the majority of the canal was closed to navigation.  This was the first waterway to receive a Millennium Commission grant and this was matched by funding from English Partnerships (the government’s economic development division) in recognition of the social and economic benefits the canal would offer.  The devolution of English Partnerships’ responsibilities to the Regional Development Agencies, presented funding difficulties but the Waterways Trust took over ownership and provided the necessary funding.  British Waterways was appointed to carry out the work and operate the waterway.

See IWA's campaign history on the Rochdale Canal - click here

Further Information

For books, maps, guides, videos, DVDs and gift on this canal, click here

Websites

Rochdale on-line 
 
Derek Parsons - Rochdale Canal 
 
Pennine Waterways - Rochdale Canal

Local government links

Calderdale MBC
 
Manchester City Council

Oldham MBC

Rochdale MBC