England’s first canal of the Industrial Age!
Opened in 1757, the pioneering Sankey Canal played a vital role in Britain’s transport and industrial revolution. Built to carry coal from the St Helens coalfield to the River Mersey, it powered the growth of St Helens and Widnes, attracting collieries, glassworks, and chemical factories. After more than a century of prosperity, traffic declined from the 1880s, and sections closed between 1931 and 1963. The canal became polluted and neglected many stretches were even filled in.
But the story didn’t end there.
Since the 1980s, dedicated volunteers and organisations have worked to restore and revitalise the canal and its surroundings. Today, the Sankey Canal is a 15-mile blue-and-green corridor rich in wildlife, heritage, and opportunities for recreation—on and off the water.
The Sankey Canal Restoration Society (SCRS) is passionate about bringing the canal fully back to life. Restoring it will regenerate local communities, enhance the environment, and create a healthier, happier place for people and nature alike.
Being near water boosts wellbeing and strengthens our connection to place, so why not get involved and help shape the next chapter of this remarkable survivor?
