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SUGGESTED START: Docks Control Centre (pyramid-shaped LOOK OUT FOR: and Higgins D. Photography: route. the trialling and developing

Stones for support in in support for Stones - building), Navigation Way, Ashton-on-Ribble, Preston PR2 2YJ. Richen Lorraine and Newsham, Andrew

1. Although Club, Bird Fylde Scouts, Agency, Environment Council, City

You are here are You DISTANCE: 3.6 km / 2.2 miles records demonstrate that Preston and project the funding for Players Lottery National To

TIME: 1 hour (plus sight-seeing and wildlife watching) the area was used as a

dock in the 1300s, the you! Thank

TERRAIN: Mostly concrete paths, largely flat.

Preston Docks in their iPhone. and Android on route

100 tonne

app. to accompany this this accompany to app. Life Ribble DIFFICULTY: Gentle current form first the Download

www.ribblelifetogether.org crane visit or more

OS MAP REFERENCE: It is advisable to use OS Landranger Map opened in 1892 to aid

102 with this guide. transportation of out find to code QR the Scan project. Together

cotton and other goods. At this time, it was the largest Life Ribble the for routes circular of series single dock in England. Until the 1970s, this was a popular a of part as Trust Rivers Ribble by created been has walk This

89, 75, 75A, 80

ferry port. The inlet by the Mariners’ Way car park was the

users other and wildlife consider Code: Countryside the Follow

site of the first roll-on-roll-off ferry service. In its hey-day, •

Car parks on Navigation Way, Mariners Way, Port drinks and food spare Carry

45,000 vehicles were transported here by ferry per year. •

Way, Maritime Way and Lockside Road

compass and map kit, aid first phone, mobile charged a Take

It closed in 1981 as commercial •

conditions forecast for suitable clothing and boots sturdy Wear

demand and industry in the area •

Available in various shops and restaurants, such

declined. Road names hint at the safely Enjoy

as Morrisons, McDonald’s, Ribble Pilot, Odeon

old path of the River Ribble’s

Cinema and Baffito’s Guide Trail Riversway s ’ Council City Preston •

channel, which was diverted to Catchment Ribble The

Way Ribble

make way for the docks. •

Preston Marina, Homebase, Morrisons, SCS, Early Wheel Guild Preston

•

Learning Centre, Mothercare, DFS, Pets at Home,

Estuary Ribble Bridges; and Rivers Walks: River Trust Ribble

Argos River 2. A 100 tonne crane, still visible •

today, was built to lift the 90 tonne lock gates. trails Nearby Ribble

Ribble Pilot, Baffito’s

3. The Bullnose is a fantastic vantage point. From here, future. the for legacy positive a leave to aim we science, on based

you can see boats following the Ribble Link crossing the action, environmental practical Through educate. and inspire

Preston Marina Boathouse Coffee Shop to river the using and access improving rivers, the of heritage the

Ribble’s channel. The river had previously been dredged system by 2020 for people and wildlife. The project celebrates celebrates project The wildlife. and people for 2020 by system

Follow us: us: Follow

is working to create a healthier river river healthier a create to working is regularly and straightened to aid navigation for the 400ft- Together Life Ribble

long vessels entering and leaving the dock.

WILDLIFE: The dock 4. Large shed warehouses stored china clay and wood is home to many pulp, lifted from vessels by hydraulic cranes. different bird species, with coots, swans and 5. Following a pair of common terns successfully nesting River Walks cormorants frequent visitors. on the Preston Dock in 2009, Fylde Bird Club began In the last few years, a colony installing shelters for the migratory visitors filled with Riversway Docklands of terns has nested on the gravel on the floating pontoon wave Bee wave breakers (3). breakers. The breeding population Fish found in the waters of the orchid has increased steadily since. Arctic River Ribble, neighbouring the dock, include terns have also recently taken an eels and flounders, as well as a range of freshwater interest in the nesting site. species, such as roach and chub. Sea trout and salmon pass by this way on their migration out to the Irish Sea 6. There are two Wave and back to their spawning buoys placed at grounds further up the the road junctions breakers catchment. entering the docklands and further buoys on the side of the dock. These Nelson Buoys WHAT TO EXPECT: were once moored 8 miles off the coast of Lytham and were used to Preston Riversway Docklands Nelson mark the safe approach into the dock. Common offers stunning views, gentle Buoys This short stroll takes in both the terns terrain and convenient parking and Preston Riversway Docklands and the shopping facilities. From a starting point near 7. When the area was River Ribble, which was diverted to the Dock Control Centre, the route leads for a short redeveloped, a swing bridge Swing create the docks. This route is rich in was opened in 1991 distance along the banks of the River Ribble before bridge cultural heritage, with many features taking the walkway leading counter-clockwise around connecting both sides of the showing the modern-day and historic the dockside. From here, the route reaches the Bullnose, Ribble. This, along with the lock use of these waterways. gates, are operated from the with stunning views out to the estuary. Indications of the Distance: 3.6 km / 2.2 miles pyramid-shaped control centre, dock’s industrial past run throughout the route. opened in 1983. Difficulty: Gentle

D. Albert Edward Dock (continued) ROUTE DIRECTIONS Control B. By the river THE RIVERS: The River Ribble flows Walk back along the other side of the Bullnose, by the Bear left again at the Ribble Pilot pub. Centre through north Yorkshire and River Ribble. When you meet the cycleway, continue on A. To the Bullnose Lancashire. At one end, the River this tarmacked track, following the River Ribble upstream. Just before you reach the boat Take a moment from your Ribble’s source begins near to Continue along the obvious path. moorings, you will pass more starting point, to view the the Ribblehead Viaduct. On this wave breakers (5) and a pair of Preston Docks (1) and the 100 C. To the dock the Nelson Buoys (6). route, we are very close to the tonne crane (2). estuary at Lytham where the river When the cycleway bears slightly left Boat flows into the Irish Sea. away from the river’s side, take the Continue past the Preston River From the car park across the road from path on your left, which curves Marina shop and Moorings the pyramid-shaped Docks Control Centre, and The road names, ‘Channel Way’ and Ribble down to the crossing point of Boathouse café until you ‘Riversway’, hint at the river’s historic route. positioning the Control Centre on your right-hand-side, Railway the railway, defined by a pair reach Navigation Way. To your left is the swing bridge (7). Previously, the channel of the River Ribble took the path of a follow the railings until you reach the dock-side. (Do not of wooden gates. crossing section of what is now the A583 to the north of the dock. The pass through the red gate to the swing bridge.) Follow E. Navigation Way River Ribble was relocated to make way for the building of the side of the dock entrance to the Bullnose (3). Turn right to follow the pedestrian pavement by Take care as you cross the tracks the dock. It is now located to the south of the dock. A Navigation Way. Shortly after the road bears right, the and Navigation Way. channel connects the dock to the river for access in and out Enjoy fantastic views of the River Ribble and dock’s metal railings end. Cross over at this point and turn left to of the dock. Now, only small vessels are able to navigate this entrance from this point (as pictured on the cover). follow the footpath, with the railings now on your left. Once across Navigation Way, follow Britannia Drive until stretch up the river to the dock.

it sweeps around to the right. At this point, take the track between the buildings towards the dock. Take care as you cross the train From the Bullnose, you can see boats navigating the Ribble line and swing bridge. Link between Savick Brook and the River Douglas. D. Albert Edward Dock The water quality of the docks suffers from blooms of toxic * A short detour from this point takes you to the 1905 If you are lucky, you may see the swing bridge blue-green algae. This has improved in recent years. warehouse shed no. 3 (4). To reach this, turn left along Preston the dock-side path until you meet a building, on your left, open. Gates will lock Marina with large, red pillars. Along here, you can also reach the before this. Ribble Rivers Trust projects wave breakers (5), where terns nest. Retrace your steps This point is very close to to the point where you reached the dock from Britannia Do not cross barriers when they the Ribble’s estuary, are locked. which is a key habitat for shellfish Drive. and roosting migratory birds. The Tidal Ribble Project is monitoring On reaching the dock-side path, turn right and follow this The pedestrian gates will close when the swing bridge is and working to improve the quality Lock path anti-clockwise around the dock. Shortly after the opening. The swing bridge leads across to where the of the water in this area by tackling one of its key threats, faecal matter. gates path first bears left, you will pass a red-brick building. route began. Arts Local land-owners are supporting us by making improvements to land project management. The wider community are also engaging with the concern through arts projects, including theatre and a schools programme.

The project is also raising awareness of problems associated with litter in rivers and seas. This litter mostly comes from the land. Volunteers, including local Scout groups, have been helping to tackle litter before it gets into the water. Our every day actions can make a huge difference to how clean our water is. To find out more about the project Clean-up and other ways that you can improve the health of our rivers, visit http://ribbletrust.org.uk/ projects/tidal-ribble/ and download our Water Friendly Homes Guide.

Wave breakers

Route guide and content copyright © 2018 Ribble Rivers Trust. Contains Ordnance Survey data © Crown copyright and database right 2018. Every effort has been made to provide accurate information in this guide. Ribble Rivers Trust cannot take responsibility for any errors. No recommendation is given by inclusion or omission of any establishment.