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River Weaver

The River Weaver Navigation runs from the Manchester Ship Canal at Weston Marsh Lock and Weston Point Docks to Winsford Bridge and connects to the Trent and Mersey Canal via the Anderton Boat Lift. 

River Weaver Map

Facts & Stats

20 miles

(32km)

The length of the River Weaver that is navigable.

5 locks

+ Swing bridges

There is also a boat lift.

Waterway notes

Maximum boat sizes

  • Length: 196′ (58.8 metres)
  • Beam: 35′ (10.6 metres)
  • Height: 29′ 6″ (8.9 metres)
  • Draught: 9′ 10″ (3.0 metres)

Through boat lift:

  • Length: 72′ (21.6 metres)
  • Beam: 14′ (4.2 metres)
  • Height: 8′ (2.4 metres)
  • Draught: 4′ (1.2 metres)

Navigation authority

Canal & River Trust

Useful Info

  • Locks, swing bridges and Anderton Boat Lift are all operated by Canal & River Trust staff.
  • Navigation above Winsford Bridge and into Winsford Flash is possible, where there is no navigating authority.  The Flash, especially, is very shallow in places and there is a significant risk of boats becoming stuck in the silt.

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

Local activities