Leeds and Liverpool Canal Rufford Branch
engineered by the Douglas Navigation Company, 7.25 miles long with 8 locks

History and General Knowledge of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Rufford Branch

Completed in 1781 linking the Leeds and Liverpool Canal to the River Douglas at Tarleton.

History of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Rufford Branch

Also known as the Rufford Branch of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, is a historic canal in the north-west of England. The canal was built in the late 18th century to connect the port of Liverpool with the industrial towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire. The Rufford Branch was one of several branches that extended the main canal to reach different parts of the region.

Construction of the Rufford Branch began in 1770 and was completed in 1781. The canal was 7.25 miles long and connected the Leeds and Liverpool Canal at Burscough to the River Douglas at Tarleton. The canal was primarily used for transporting coal, timber, and agricultural goods, and was an important transportation link for the Lancashire and West Riding coalfields.

The Rufford Branch was constructed by the engineer John Longbotham, who also designed other sections of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. The construction of the canal was a major engineering feat, with many locks, aqueducts, and bridges being built along the route. The canal was initially operated by the Leeds and Liverpool Canal Company, which had been established in 1770 to oversee the construction of the main canal.

During the early years of the canal, there were a number of challenges that had to be overcome. The canal suffered from water shortages, and there were also issues with the locks and the maintenance of the canal infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the Rufford Branch proved to be a vital transportation link for the region, and it played an important role in the growth of the local economy.

In the 19th century, the Rufford Branch was expanded and modernised to meet the needs of a changing economy. The canal was deepened and widened, and new wharves and warehouses were built along the route. The canal continued to be used for transportation until the mid-20th century, when competition from road and rail transport led to a decline in the use of canals for freight transport.

Today, the Rufford Branch is a popular tourist attraction and is used primarily for leisure boating. The canal has been restored and maintained by a number of different organisations, including the Canal and River Trust, which is responsible for managing the waterways in England and Wales. The canal is also a designated Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), due to the diversity of flora and fauna that can be found along the canal banks.

In conclusion, the Liverpool Canal Rufford Branch is a historic canal that played an important role in the economic development of the north-west of England. The canal was built in the late 18th century to transport goods between Liverpool and the industrial towns of Lancashire and Yorkshire, and it continued to be used for transportation until the mid-20th century. Today, the Rufford Branch is a popular tourist attraction and is a testament to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of the canal builders of the 18th and 19th centuries.