[5] The canal was principally used to carry general cargo, such as supplying raw cotton to the mills and returning with manufactured goods.

Another important cargo was the supply of grain to William Nelstrop & Company's Albion Corn Mill at Stockport Basin.

In its early days there was passenger carrying on the Ashton Canal and one of the routes was between Manchester and Stockport.

Stockport Basin was the first section to be filled in but it was not until 1962 that the canal was officially abandoned by the British Transport Commission,[6] who had been responsible for it since 1948.

[9] The Manchester and Stockport Canal Society was formed in 2004, and have worked to improve the condition of the remains, as well as bringing them to public attention.

This has included the erection of nine green plaques on significant structures along the route,[10] and regular working parties to clean up the footpath which follows the original line of the canal.

[11] While the ultimate aim of the Society is to see the restoration of the canal for navigation, they recognise that this may take a long time, and so are concentrating on smaller, achievable projects.