1774 & opened from Liverpool 1801 Leeds & Liverpool Canal opened from Burnley 1891 Sixth Leeds & Liverpool Canal Act, authorising to Gathurst, and then by to to Henfield. construction of Winterburn Reservoir. . The sections from to Gargrave, 1805 As a result of the Drainage Scheme, the 1892 Seventh Leeds & Liverpool Canal Act, altering and to Shipley and also Rufford Branch is extended from Sollom the rating of the canal. opened, including Bingley 5-rise Locks. to . 1893 Leeds & Liverpool Canal, Rates, Tolls, and 1777 Leeds & Liverpool Canal opened from Shipley 1810 Leeds & Liverpool Canal opened from Henfield Charges Order introduced by Parliament. to Leeds. to Blackburn. 1900 circa The lock into the River Douglas at Gathurst Work on constructing the main line ceases, all The use of the between Heapey closes. available capital having been spent. and Haigh agreed. 1905 Eighth Leeds & Liverpool Canal Act, extending 1780 Canal, built under the Douglas Navigation Act, 1816 Leeds & Liverpool Canal completed and opened the time allowed for the construction of further opened from Gathurst to Wigan. throughout. reservoirs. 1781 Douglas Navigation closed following the 1819 Fifth Leeds & Liverpool Canal Act passed, 1921 Canal Company disposes of its carrying fleet. opening of the branch canal from to authorising the construction of the Leigh 1922 closes permanently. Rufford and Sollom Lock. The lock at Gathurst Branch. 1928 Ninth Leeds & Liverpool Canal Act, altering the remains open to allow boats to reach coal 1820 Leigh Branch opened. tolls charged. wharves on the river in the immediate area. 1843 First trial of steam powered tug. 1930 Canal Transport Limited set up to undertake 1783 Second Leeds & Liverpool Canal Act passed, 1846 Liverpool Dock Branch opened after merchandize traffic. allowing the River Douglas Navigation to be construction by Jesse Hartley, Liverpool’s 1948 Following nationalisation, canal controlled by purchased. Dock Engineer. the Docks & Inland Waterways Executive. 1785 Springs Branch leased from Lord Thanet. 1848 Leeds & Liverpool Canal Company takes over 1953 British Transport Waterways set up and take 1790 Third Leeds & Liverpool Canal Act passed, the carriage of merchandize. over responsibility for the canal. authorising the line to be altered to avoid the 1850 Merchandize traffic leased to railway 1963 Regular traffic over the summit level ceases. aqueduct at Whalley Nab. consortium. Board formed. 1791 Building of the canal recommences westward 1864 Southern section of the Lancaster Canal leased 1964 Coal traffic on the main line finishes. from Gargrave. by the Leeds & Liverpool Canal. Last section of the canal in Liverpool sold for 1793 Bill for new route through East 1867 Bradford Canal closed because of pollution to extension of Tate & Lyles sugar works. Canal presented, but fails because the Lancaster . basin filled in. Canal receives its Act first. 1871 Steam tugs re-introduced. 1972 Coal traffic on the Leigh branch ceases when 1794 Fourth Leeds & Liverpool Canal Act passed, 1872 Bradford Canal re-opened with water pumped Wigan Power Station closes. authorising the deviation through East up from the L&LC at Shipley. 1975-80 Several traffics tried on the canal, mainly Lancashire avoiding the Lancaster Canal 1874 Leeds & Liverpool Canal Company resume Liverpool to or to Leeds. between Chorley and Haigh. operation of merchandize traffic following the 1982 M65 built, altering canal line around Hapton. 1796 Leeds & Liverpool Canal opened to Burnley termination of the railway lease. 1993 Bingley By-pass built, altering canal at bottom following the completion of Foulridge 1878 Bradford Canal purchased by the Leeds of 3-rise locks. Tunnel. & Liverpool Canal and the Aire & Calder 1998 Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society formed. 1799 Southern section of the Lancaster Canal opened Navigation. 2012 Canal & River Trust takes over responsibility for from Haigh to Wheelton. 1882 Basin at Liverpool reconstructed. the canal. THE LEEDS & LIVERPOOL L&LC CHRONOLOGY CANAL SOCIETY The Society encourages greater understanding and 1712 Navigations proposed by Thomas Steers for appreciation of the canal, ensuring that its traditions and the River Douglas, to Wigan; and the Mersey heritage are recorded and continued. We hold lectures, & Irwell, to Manchester. arrange guided walks, and provide information about the 1720 River Douglas Navigation Act passed, with canal’s history. A twice-yearly newsletter gives details of Thomas Steers and William Squire named as events and happenings, as well as publishing articles on undertakers. Work starts at Croston Finney, the canal and its history. but finances quickly run out. 1731 Alexander Leigh and others take over as undertakers for the Douglas Navigation. 1738 Work restarts on the Douglas Navigation. 1742 Douglas Navigation opened. 1744 Bill for the navigation of the from Bingley to Skipton rejected by Parliament. 1765 Canal from Leeds to Preston proposed by John Stanhope and surveyed by John Longbotham. 1767 Canal now to run from Leeds to Liverpool. Kennet at Bradley, near Skipton, in 2012. 1769 Liverpool promoters suggest that the canal should pass through Burnley and Blackburn, Friends of Kennet instead of through Whalley as proposed by The Society owns Kennet, an unconverted working boat. Partly funded by the Heritage Lottery, Kennet Longbotham. has displays about canal life, and moves to venues 1770 & Liverpool Canal Act passed. This along the canal. authorises a line via Skipton, Gargrave, Colne, Friends of Kennet help maintain and move the boat, Whalley, Walton-le-Dale, and . and arranges training sessions in boat handling and Earl of Thanet’s Canal Act passed, permitting other facets of canal life. We are delighted to hear from the construction of the Springs Branch, in people who would like to sponsor work on Kennet or Skipton. to give a donation. 1771 Bradford Canal Act passed. Email: [email protected] 1772 Alexander Leigh’s shares in the Douglas Navigation purchased. Produced for the Leeds & Liverpool Canal Society, whose 1773 Leeds & Liverpool Canal opened from Bingley details can be found on its website at http://www.llcs.org.uk to Skipton. or from the Secretary: Settle Canal Bill fails, as does the Leeds & [email protected] August 2012 Canal Bill.