Crossing the Runcorn bridge by train I used to wonder if it was possible to walk along the seawall which separates the Manchester Ship Canal from the Mersey, ending up in the Wirral. That is, from X (Wigg island) to Y (Queen Elizabeth dock).
I couldn’t see why not from google maps, and there also appeared to be a few small abandoned buildings to explore on Stanlow Island, about half way along. This island, part of which is still in use for berthing tankers, was also the site of a twelfth century Cistercian abbey, although only a couple of walls and tunnels remain https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/business/secret-island-mersey-abbey-ruins-15089100. So I set off one grey morning equipped with a borrowed camera and a couple of sandwiches and bottles of water.
The Silver Jubilee bridge, still being renovated, with the rail bridge behind.
One of two locks which used to let small craft in and out of the canal as its curves around Runcorn.
A little church, now isolated between two canals https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/christ-church-weston-point-runcorn-sept-2017.109854/.
The second lock.
Weston point power station, looking a bit derelict in parts https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/weston-point-power-station-runcorn-may-2011.60571/
The Weaver sluice which lets water out of both the canal and River Weaver into the Mersey.
Along a stretch of low lying pasture with sheep, dead sheep, rabbits, foxes and birds.
Crossing where the river Gowy siphons under the canal we come to one of the little buildings on Stanlow Island - some sort of observation post/office. However it looked stripped so I didn’t bother climbing in.
Nearby, a shed and a tank with rooms underneath, both empty.
Another little shed, with not much inside - pictures taken through the windows.
The largest building was probably built in the 40s - its shown on the 1948-49 OS map. The sign on the door suggests it was for general harbour duties.
The ground floor rooms are not all connected internally and two were not accessible - pictures of these through windows.
The rest of the ground floor was residential and the upstairs of the main block appeared to be more offices, although the large room had an educational feel. The latest date I saw was 1982.
I couldn’t see why not from google maps, and there also appeared to be a few small abandoned buildings to explore on Stanlow Island, about half way along. This island, part of which is still in use for berthing tankers, was also the site of a twelfth century Cistercian abbey, although only a couple of walls and tunnels remain https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/business/secret-island-mersey-abbey-ruins-15089100. So I set off one grey morning equipped with a borrowed camera and a couple of sandwiches and bottles of water.
The Silver Jubilee bridge, still being renovated, with the rail bridge behind.
One of two locks which used to let small craft in and out of the canal as its curves around Runcorn.
A little church, now isolated between two canals https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/christ-church-weston-point-runcorn-sept-2017.109854/.
The second lock.
Weston point power station, looking a bit derelict in parts https://www.28dayslater.co.uk/threads/weston-point-power-station-runcorn-may-2011.60571/
The Weaver sluice which lets water out of both the canal and River Weaver into the Mersey.
Along a stretch of low lying pasture with sheep, dead sheep, rabbits, foxes and birds.
Crossing where the river Gowy siphons under the canal we come to one of the little buildings on Stanlow Island - some sort of observation post/office. However it looked stripped so I didn’t bother climbing in.
Nearby, a shed and a tank with rooms underneath, both empty.
Another little shed, with not much inside - pictures taken through the windows.
The largest building was probably built in the 40s - its shown on the 1948-49 OS map. The sign on the door suggests it was for general harbour duties.
The ground floor rooms are not all connected internally and two were not accessible - pictures of these through windows.
The rest of the ground floor was residential and the upstairs of the main block appeared to be more offices, although the large room had an educational feel. The latest date I saw was 1982.
