Manchester Ship Canal
From the tidal River Mersey at Eastham to Salford in Manchester, the Manchester Ship Canal, nicknamed 'The Big Ditch', runs for 36 miles. Britain's biggest waterway, its size, construction methods and operations make it incomparable with any other inland waterway in the country.
Opened by Queen Victoria in May 1894 the MSC brought deep-sea shipping to Manchester and led to the creation of Trafford Park, the world's first industrial estate. Although its role has diminished, it still carries significant amounts of cargo. Notable works include the Barton Swing Aqueduct, which carries the historic Bridgewater Canal over the newer waterway.
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