The Manchester, Bolton and Bury Canal was built in 1796 to carry coal and other goods up and down the Irwell Valley and was a key influence on the industrial development of the area. It was breached in the 1930's and used only in isolated sections up to the 1960's.
In 2002 a Partnership was formed between the Canal's owners, British Waterways and the Councils of Bolton, Bury and Salford to try to restore the canal. Site investigations have been carried out and sketch proposals produced.
The total cost is estimated to be around £40 million and in 2005 work started on the reconstruction of the first 150 metres of canal from where it leaves the canalised River Irwell in Manchester as part of a redevelopment scheme for that area. A source of funding for the rest of the restoration has yet to be identified.
