IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Lock Keepers Court, MANCHESTER, M43 6GG

Not quite as tidied up as it is now, but still a pleasant spot in the sun. The boat is moored to take on water.

The British Waterways sign welcomes boaters to Fairfield Junction - although it has not been a junction since the Hollinwood Canal branch closed in 1961. This is the 18th lock coming up from Manchester on the Ashton Canal, but there are no more locks this side of Dukinfield Junction.

Fairfield Lock is the highest lock on the Ashton Canal. Beyond the lock is Fairfield Junction where the main line of the Ashton Canal turns right while the former Hollinwood Branch continued ahead. The lock was made into a double lock in the 1820s, to reduce congestion on what was then a busy stretch of waterway. The lock to the left, now disused, was the original lock before the second lock was built to reduce queues. Compare this photograph with Image] taken in 2012 and Image The warehouses have gone and are now replaced by modern houses and apartments. A small section of the Hollinwood Branch has been reopened (where the fence is) to form a small marina.

The canal used to split here, the part immediately ahead was the Hollinwood Branch (now closed and mostly filled in) whilst the main canal towards Ashton is out of shot, on the right hand side.

Fairfield Lock is the highest lock on the Ashton Canal. Beyond the lock is Fairfield Junction where the main line of the Ashton Canal turns right while the former Hollinwood Branch continued ahead. The lock is Grade II-listed (Historic England List Entry Number:1356475 http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1356475&resourceID=5 Heritage Gateway). It was made into a double lock in the 1820s, to reduce congestion on what was then a busy stretch of waterway. The lock to the left, now disused, was the original lock before the second lock was built to reduce queues. This view is looking across the lock towards the canal basin. The mill in this 1979 photo has since been demolished and the area is now sprouting modern "waterside" apartment blocks. (eg, see Image]) and Image

Fairfield Lock is the highest lock on the Ashton Canal. Beyond the lock is Fairfield Junction where the main line of the Ashton Canal turns right while the former Hollinwood Branch continued ahead. The lock is Grade II-listed (Historic England List Entry Number:1356475 http://www.heritagegateway.org.uk/Gateway/Results_Single.aspx?uid=1356475&resourceID=5 Heritage Gateway). The lock was made into a double lock in the 1820s, to reduce congestion on what was then a busy stretch of waterway. The lock to the left, now disused, was the original lock before the second lock was built to reduce queues. Compare this photograph with Image] taken in 2012 and Image] taken in 2016. The warehouses have gone and are now replaced by modern houses and apartments. A small section of the Hollinwood Branch has been reopened (where the fence is) to form a small marina.

Junction on the Ashton Canal with the closed Hollinwood Branch to the left and the Ashton Canal continuing to the right.

The former Hollinwood branch of the Ashton canal now only goes as far as Droylsden Marina. In recent years new houses have been built alongside.