Only 13 locks with 12 in one group about a third of the way north of Kidsgrove. Then it's 'Lock Free' from Bosley Locks Boater’s Facilities all the way to Marple Bridge
Lock Gates
Tunnel AqueductCompleted 1831 and running north from Kidsgrove, where it connects to the Trent & Mersey Canal, to Marple Bridge and the Peak Forest Canal.
Forming part of the 97 mile Cheshire Ring, it is a popular holiday canal.
The last third of a mile at the southern end was the Hall Green Branch built to connect the Macclesfield to the Trent & Mersey Canals.
History of the Macclesfield Canal
An historic canal in the north-west of England that stretches for 26.25 miles from Marple to Kidsgrove. The canal was constructed in the early 19th century and was primarily used for the transportation of coal and other goods.
The Macclesfield Canal was designed by the engineer Thomas Telford, who also designed many other canals across the UK. The construction of the canal began in 1826 and was completed in 1831, at a cost of £320,000. The canal was built to connect the towns of Macclesfield and Kidsgrove.
The Macclesfield Canal was an important transportation link for the local economy, and it played a significant role in the growth of the silk industry in Macclesfield. The canal was also used for passenger transport, with canal boats carrying passengers between the towns and cities of Cheshire and Staffordshire.
During the 20th century, the use of the Macclesfield Canal declined, as road and rail transport became more popular. In the 1960's, the canal was in danger of being closed, but a group of local enthusiasts formed the Macclesfield Canal Society, which worked to restore and maintain the canal.
Today, the Macclesfield Canal is a popular destination for leisure boating and tourism. The canal has been restored and modernised, with new locks, bridges, and other infrastructure being built along the route. 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 Macclesfield Canal is a historic canal that played an important role in the economic development of the north-west of England. The canal was designed by Thomas Telford and was completed in the early 19th century. The canal was primarily used for transporting goods, but it also played a role in passenger transport. Today, the Macclesfield Canal is a popular destination for leisure boating and tourism, and it is a testament to the ingenuity and engineering prowess of the canal builders of the 19th century.
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