The Ellesmere & Chester Canal obtained the Act for the Middlewich Branch in 1827. It was engineered by Thomas Telford, the contractor being William Provis (who up till then had been a member of Telford's staff. It was opened in 1833. Once the Birmingham & Liverpool Junction Canal opened in 1835, the two canals provided a shorter, easier and quicker route between Birmingham and Manchester. However, the Trent & Mersey Canal persuaded Parliament to give it powers to build Wardle Lock and the final few yards of the connection, and to be able to impose a heavy toll.
Barbridge Junction: Bridge 1 on the Middlewich Branch (1957)
(5 May 1957)Barbridge Junction: Bridge 1 on the Middlewich Branch (1957)
Barbridge Junction: 'Perch' (1959)
'Perch' was an iron composite motor boat built by Yarwoods of Northwich for Fellows Morton & Clayton in 1935. The steerer was John Jinks. (30 August 1959)Barbridge Junction: 'Perch' (1959)
Barbridge Junction: looking east from Bridge 1 (1967)
(10 July 1967)Barbridge Junction: looking east from Bridge 1 (1967)
'Malvern' at Cholmondeston Lock (1958)
'Malvern' was built by Yarwoods in 1949 for Fellows Morton & Clayton. (2 March 1958)'Malvern' at Cholmondeston Lock (1958)
'Collingwood' leaving Cholmondeston Lock (1959)
'Collingwood' was an Admiral Class boat built by Pimblotts of Northwich for the British Waterways fleet. The bridge in the distance carries the Crewe–Chester railway. (30 August 1959)'Collingwood' leaving Cholmondeston Lock (1959)
'Collingwood' & 'Kidsgrove' leaving Cholmondeston Lock (1959)
'Collingwood' was an Admiral Class boat built by Pimblotts of Northwich for the British Waterways fleet. 'Kidsgrove' was a Station Class boat, former LMS/BR open boats fitted with cabins 1955-7. (30 August 1959)'Collingwood' & 'Kidsgrove' leaving Cholmondeston Lock (1959)
Trial of mechanised towing, 1888
Four boats in tow on a section of canal between Minshull and Cholmondeston Locks, hauled by 'Dickie' on a 1ft 6in gauge track.Trial of mechanised towing, 1888
Trial of mechanised towing, 1888
The 1ft 6in gauge steam loco 'Dickie' used in the trial of boat haulage.Trial of mechanised towing, 1888
Trial of mechanised towing, 1888
Fox Walker locomotive used in the trials of boat haulage. 'Tiny' had been brought from the LNWR Crewe Works. An 18 inch test track three-quarters of a mile long was laid on the towpath between Minshull and Cholmondeston Locks.Trial of mechanised towing, 1888
Middlewich Branch - exact location not recorded 057625
Although relatively shallow and not steep-sided, the cuttings on the Middlewich Branch were prone to slip.Middlewich Branch - exact location not recorded 057625
Near Church Minshull (1973) 057624E
Looking south from Bridge 14.Near Church Minshull (1973) 057624E
Church Minshull Wharf (1966)
The house has been restored during the past few years before this photograph was taken. (12 March 1966)Church Minshull Wharf (1966)
'Chub' entering Stanthorne Lock (1957)
'Chub' was a steel motor boat built by Yarwoods of Northwich for Fellows Morton & Clayton in 1934. (16 May 1957)'Chub' entering Stanthorne Lock (1957)
'Chub' in Stanthorne Lock (1957)
'Chub' was a steel motor boat built by Yarwoods of Northwich for Fellows Morton & Clayton in 1934. (16 May 1957)'Chub' in Stanthorne Lock (1957)
Middlewich, Wardle Lock (No 4). 1957
'Malvern' is moored on the left. It was built by Yarwoods in 1949 for Fellows Morton & Clayton. (2 June 1957)
Middlewich, Wardle Lock (No 4). 1957
Middlewich, Wardle Lock (No 4). Pre-1962
At the junction of the Shropshire Union Canal (Middlewich Branch) and the Trent & Mersey Canal (Wardle Lock Branch).ICI (ex-Brunner Mond) Alkali Works in background, which closed in 1962
Middlewich, Wardle Lock (No 4). Pre-1962
