Ashton Canal
The Ashton Canal is an example of an industrialised urban waterway that has undergone much improvement in recent years.
It was given further prominence by the Commonwealth Games of 2002, staged beside the canal.
The canal winds its way via 18 locks from Ducie Street in Manchester through densely populated areas to Ashton-under-Lyne. The canal came close to being lost forever when it fell derelict but was saved by mass gatherings at which hundreds of enthusiasts turned out to clear lorry loads of rubbish. It reopened in 1974 and now forms part of the Cheshire Ring and the South Pennine Ring - a popular circular boating route through city and countryside.
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