Manchester Bolton and Bury Canal Society

Who we are

The Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society is a long-standing registered charity committed to working in partnership to restore the Manchester Bolton & Bury canal network.

The Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society was founded in 1987, with the aim of restoring the canal. It has had several successes, despite often difficult economic times.

In the 1990s two bridges (one in Salford) were restored to full navigable dimensions.

In 2008 the first length of the canal at Middlewood in Salford was fully restored, including construction of a new deep lock allowing access from the River Irwell.

The Society built the unique Meccano Bridge in 2012 and then undertook ‘Big Digs’ to reveal the flight of six locks at Nob End.

The Society continues to work with Bolton, Bury and Salford Councils, as well as with the Canal & River Trust. In the past few years the towpath from Hall Lane to Radcliffe has been resurfaced.

The Canal Society is currently finalising a feasibility study with Bolton and Bury Councils and the Canal & River Trust to investigate reopening the canal to navigation from Little Lever to Bury.

The Canal Society has a clear vision which is to progressively restore the canal to fully navigable condition, and in doing so create blue-green spaces that aid wellbeing and environmental improvement.

Our culture and values

The Manchester Bolton & Bury Canal Society

• has precise aims,
• has achieved a great deal over many years,
• has an up-to-date restoration strategy,
• is legally established as a Company and a Charity,
• is recognised as the official restoration group by the Canal & River Trust and by the three local authorities,
• has detailed legal governing documents,
• is well and democratically run, and
• is competently and legally financed and insured.