From the parking join the towpath and follow the arrow
The Big Lock pound is the old boatmens name for this stretch of
water,(a pound being the water between two locks ie impounded)
leaving the Big Lock in middlewich it signified a chance to put
away the windlass and leaving the work of the Cheshire locks behind
you and enjoy the long lock free pound all the way to the
bridgewater canal and manchester,a good 30 miles away by canal.
Whilst this cache is not as pituresque as the other 2 in the series
it hopefully highlights that the canal was built for transport for
a developing industrial nation and not for leisure and successfully
did until the advent of the reliable motor lorry in the 1950s
It has been said that the step from packhorse/ waggon to canal
transport was the biggest step in transport evolution as one horse
could now power 30 tons of coal along a canal as opposed to 1-2
tons on a well built waggon. One can only imagine the benefits of
reduced transport costs that the canal provided to the local area
it passedthrough.
This is Wincham Wharf
When the canal was dug in 1765 it crossed the main Chester road,
an older Roman road between Chester and Manchester, here on the
outskirts of Northwich so naturally a wharf community developed to
service the canal, the remains of the wharf area can be seen on the
opposite side, which now supports a pub, aptly named 'the wharf', 2
boatbuilders and Harral boat brokerage, most of the boats that you
will see are for sale, go and have a look.
The canal passes under a railway bridge that carries the Cheshire
Lines Commitee from Altrincham towards Northwich and Chester,
Lostock Gralam station is only 500yds to the left. Beyond you will
be able to see the vast Brunner Mond chemical works, and you will
cross a bridge over a disused arm that used to serve the chemical
works and is still partially in water.
The canal passess through the works and was used to feed a large
power station on the site as the processess in the works are very
energy intensive.