Runcorn Locks

The linking of Runcorn locks to the Bridgewater Canal on the 21 March 1776 was the culmination of the then greatest canal undertaking in the world. Such was the achievement of the Duke of Bridgewater and James Brindley his engineer.

Construction of the line of 10 locks to the River Mersey started in 1772 and when completed they were visited by Josiah Wedgewood, the potter, who described them as "a work of Titans".

Such was the great expansion of waterborne merchandise passing up and down them that it was necessary to build a second line in 1826. For over 160 years flats and narrow boats locked up and down them in great numbers.

The second line of locks was abandoned in the mid sixties, but the original line had been left in place and covered over. It is this line that the Society intends to restore.