The Forgotten Waterway of Manchester and Stockport

The Forgotten Waterway of Manchester and Stockport
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Today we take a walk down through the industrial heartland of Manchester, from near to sportcity the fantastic complex by Manchester City FC and the Etihad stadium, Co-Op Live Arena and the training complex we walk away from the Ashton Canal through Clayton and Openshaw towards Stockport and the Gorton Reservoir and outdoor centre following the yellow brick road. We explore Old Bridges, Aqueducts and discover lots of original parts of the canal including cobbled towpaths and old docks. The area is complete with cycle ways following abandoned railways on the Fallowfield loop which takes in the canal route, could this be a future green highway for people moving around the city? Could a new marina revitalise the area and bring millions into the local economy. Could Man City help to fund it?
This really is a fascinating area and one with massive opportunity to help revitalise an area that's pulling out of its post industrial decline. Please do follow the links below and see if you can help this fantastic project.
Manchester and Stockport Canal Society - www.mscs.org.uk
Manchester and Stockport Canal Society Facebook - www.facebook.c...
Fund Britains Waterways petition - www.change.org...
All drone footage shot with a DJI mini 3 Pro.
All camera footage shot with an Insta360 RS ONE Inch with Rode Go mic and Lavalier.
Fund Britains waterways - waterways.org....
Keep canals alive (canal and river trust) - canalrivertrus...
Rail Map Online - www.railmaponl...
Waterway Routes - www.waterwayro...
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[@NeilRoberts-bu4oy]

It's a great project I love all the old canal and rail systems of Manchester. It would be good for economy and regeneration for wildlife, natural terrain a bonus. But as you know projects like this might have a short lived shelf life. It's the maintenance and sustainability that is the issue. Hope it does get the go ahead 🙏 😊

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

It’ll be managed by the trust I imagine rather than CRT. I just wish I had a spare £11 million in my back pocket

[@martinmarsola6477]

Thank you for this days video. Always enjoy the walk along. Enjoy your weekend, and see you on the next, Steven ! 🇬🇧👍🙂🇺🇸

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

I’m undecided on what video to post next, I’ve got another 5 in production. Some more on the chesterfield, Cromford, HS2 and one on the Cotswold.

[@TheHadMatters]

Love your passion and detailed knowledge; it's very inspiring.

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

Thank you :)

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

Don't forget to stay tuned as I will be giving away memberships throughout the video Premiere

[@alancrosby8123]

I used to live in Openshaw, very close to the canal at Ashton Old Road. If you walk from the junction through to Gorton, it's difficult to believe there were no locks along the line. The towpath stones under Pack Horse Bridge seem way lower than the land that approaches it, and yet the water level at the junction must be at the same level. I still live in N/East Manchester, and walk here a lot....and it always puzzles me.

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

It’s a slight incline to where the stones were so you can see where it went around the corner. All the bits in between are raised quite a bit, each bridge drops down loads and then raises back up. The reservoir threw me a little though, as you really don’t feel you should be that low down

[@malcolmrichardson3881]

You make a very persuasive case for its reopening. In view of its relatively low cost and with few, if any, major obstacles, it would bring considerable financial, ecological and recreational benefits to the area. The route is owned by Manchester City Council and its backing is essential if the project is to make serious progress. With a viable restoration plan and local commitment there seems no reason why it should not go ahead.

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

Exactly, the costs are tiny compared to any restoration I’ve come across, most of the big restorations spend £11 million on projects to link sections together, this gets the whole deal!

[@laszlofyre845]

If there is £££ in it, Manchester council will get into it. Especially if they get a few bungs. I was born and bred 100yds from that first wall you noted (B&S Masseys steam hammer works), I worked over all the railways that were/are there in later life, and all the industrial losses and the rampant weed-tree growth is absolutely appalling. It's like a bloody jungle, and the tree huggers want more FFS! No locks at all all the way to Stockport. So many memories, now gone never to return, and I think the state of the area now, would make any plans a bit circumspect, to say the least.

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

I think the area now is more of a driving force for it to happen. It wasn’t too bad in the day but from what I gather it’s particularly fruity at night near to the bridges. Having a useable tow path, cycle track and waterway would push these things off of the route a little and also create more land value which will lead to investment down the line

[@johnward9421]

Just seen the video how you get free membership

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

I gave 10 memberships away during the premiere at 5pm

[@lestathecat]

Please don’t cover the screen so much with your subscription and patreon info as missing the excellent photos and aerial shots. I grew up in Ashton-Under_Lyne and went to Portland basin and played on the canal a lot as a kid.

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

I’m actually going to change the subscription I just haven’t had chance to set it up. Stuff like the super thanks and members is what pays for me to do this, it’s an expensive hobby without support!

[@justmeEnglandUK]

It will because Andy Burnham wants more cycling routes

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

The route is already a cycle route but from my understanding he is supportive of the canal.

[@justmeEnglandUK]

Think he has a rather a large hole in his budget with Caz failure trying to tax small independent business off the road with no viable alternative transportation system. Fully support canals restoration and the benefits it brings but you only have to look at Manchester council and NetZero policy and the lack of interest in hydro power on the river network . The northwest industrial revolution was powered by the abundance of water & storage and rainfall in the area . Remember local vicar trying to get the first UK hydro scheme back up and running it was found by a time team dig in a carpark .it was taken off line when the national grid became fully established . The amount of opposition by the gatekeeper was a eye openers .they didn't want the project to providing. clean free carbon neutral energy to the people especially a community group owning a energy supply company using natural resources .

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

@@justmeEnglandUK it’s disgusting isn’t it, so many things that have vanished because people couldn’t make money off them. Imagine the world we would be in now if people in charge genuinely cared about those they served. I think they forget sometimes why they are there and hopefully people are going to make that situation change, less than a week for some other fool to get in but let’s see what the smaller parties do, one of the big 2 not in opposition will genuinely mean change

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

The first 5 have been gifted already

[@karlgt9989]

seems too obvious, if it has such benefits, why arent the council all over this?

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

Because councils are skint at the moment and this area is an area which was left to rot for so long. It was the commonwealth games that started investment followed by some luck for a the city with all the money coming to Manchester City FC. I’m hoping a change of government may change things, I believe (but may be wrong) Andy Burnham the mayor is a supporter of the project. The red side of the government tend to be more open to canal restoration than the blue. Also I do wonder if the Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal are more supported due to the area and progress already ongoing.

[@karlgt9989]

@@CourtAboveTheCut i think the GMCA are more interested in Trams, Trains.and Bikes tbh. Its a great idea, hopefully it can find some backing

[@rogerbravey2562]

@@karlgt9989 In fairness, Andy Burnham and GMCA are not directly responsible for the route, that's Manchester City Councils area of authority. Mayor Burnham was more than enthusiastic when he was approached for his support.

[@Millerman77]

Grew up next to The Ashton Canal just after it had been restored in the early 70's. 2 spurs off it (Stockport & Hollinwood Branches), would be a welcome additions to the Canal Network. Hope you'll be covering the MBB restoration efforts that are now looking good.

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

I will do, I was invited up to make this video so only covered this one. I’ll get in touch with MBB at some point though and see what we can do. Btw have you watched the video? I was surprised to see a comment as it should be hidden?

[@Millerman77]

@@CourtAboveTheCut I'm familiar with both former canals. Just deduced you'd visited one or both. Can't watch the video until 5pm

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

@@Millerman77 I thought I’d messed up 😂 it’s the Stockport from Clayton junction to Gorton reservoir

[@Millerman77]

@@CourtAboveTheCut Great Video. Thank you for documenting this arm of the Ashton Canal! Those trees have certainly grown up since the last time I was down there.

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

@@Millerman77 no worries, hopefully it will help to get some members and publicity for the society to gain some traction

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

Ten free memberships given, If you've received one I hope you enjoy the extra content!

[@michaelmiller641]

Thanks for that video!

[@CourtAboveTheCut]

No problem