The Bridgewater Way is a regeneration project which, when completed, will create a 65km (39 mile) leisure route for walkers and cyclist along the Bridgewater Canal.

The works include improving the Canal towpath by creating new access points and where possible widening the surface to allow cycling and making the towpath a safer and more appealing route.

The Bridgewater Way is promoted by the Bridgewater Canal Trust which is a partnership of 8 local authorities and The Peel Group. Funders and supporters include: Peel, Heritage Lottery Fund, Mersey Basin Campaign, Sustrans, Big Lottery Fund, Arts Council England, Halton Borough Council, Manchester City Council, Salford City Council, Trafford Council and Wigan Council.

To find out more about the Bridgewater Way, please click here to download the brochure or email bridgewaterway@peel.co.uk

The plan below shows the Bridgewater Way work which has been completed so far.

Map showing the route of The Bridgewater Way

Completed sections of The Bridgewater Way

Runcorn

Waterloo Bridge to Acton Grange Bridge in Moore. This section connects Brindley Arts Centre, Norton Priory, Daresbury Science and Innovation Campus and Moore Village.

Salford

A57 Liverpool Road to Worsley Village.

Leigh

Marsland Green Lane Bridge to King Street Bridge in Leigh Town Centre

Trafford

Sale to Stretford at Waters meeting. Springfield Primary School has its own “traffic free” school entrance on the Canal towpath. And then on to Watersmeeting in Stretford.

There is also a section complete between Kellogg's Canal Arm and Barton Aqueduct.

Share the Space, Drop your Pace: Our towpath code

Our waterways can be very lively spaces. Visit us and you could see cyclists, walkers, boaters, anglers, kayakers and even horses pulling boats along the water. We’re proud to offer so many different opportunities to enjoy our canals and rivers.

However, having so many different activities taking place does mean that people need to share the space considerately.  To make sure everyone gets the most out of their time by the water we asked you to help us develop a towpath code.

This is the result. It’s a common sense guide to sharing the towpath and what to expect of others.

Share the space – towpaths are popular places to be enjoyed by everyone. Please be mindful of others, keep dogs under control, and clean up after them.

Drop your pace – pedestrians have priority on our towpaths so be ready to slow down; if you’re in a hurry, consider using an alternative route for your journey.

It’s a special place – our waterways are living history, with boats, working locks and low bridges so please give way to waterway users and be extra careful where visibility is limited.

This towpath code forms part of our Better Towpaths for everyone initiative.