[2] It was to be privately funded by the Earl of Ellesmere, who could sell it to his trustees once it was built and then charge tolls for its use.

[1] The length of the canal was about 1.4 miles (2.3 km), with a lock at either end,[3] suitable for boats which were 72.2 by 18.4 feet (22.0 by 5.6 m).

The Bridgewater Canal Company turned the first section into a ship basin, by increasing the depth to 15 feet (4.6 m).

Runcorn lock was moved along the canal to the end of the widened section, close to Weston Point Docks.

The docks prospered, handling 500,000 tons in total during 1877, although the proportion moving along the canal was relatively small.

[9] The flights of locks from the Bridgewater Canal down to Runcorn Docks were filled in when the Runcorn-Widnes road bridge was constructed in 1966.

[11] The society believes that the increase in passing boat trade that would come from reopening the locks has the potential to bring economical, recreational and social benefits to people within the region.