The canal was built under powers embodied in the Rivers Mercy and Irwell Navigation Act 1720 (7 Geo.

The eastern end fared rather better, as the section between Twenty Steps Bridge and Latchford Lock was retained.

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.

[10] The route of the canal forms the basis of the designated "Linear Park" that runs parallel to the river Mersey at Lower Walton and is clearly visible looking west from Chester Road (A5060) whilst standing on the road bridge over the River Mersey.

The largely dried out canal basin can be traced westwards after the bridge towards Moore Nature Reserve and then Runcorn.

Thereafter it re-emerges in Stockton Heath just past the London Road Swing Bridge (A49) where it runs north-easterly passing under Loushers Lane Bridge until eventually passing under Knutsford Road at the site of the former Black Bear Public House.

The course of the canal runs a short distance then to terminate and re-join the River Mersey close to Kingsway North Bridge.

Remediation work to reclaim the brownfield site has included the construction of a filter system which passes the water through a limestone-filled channel.