W - Waterways

Halton’s waterways have played a defining role since the Industrial Revolution, powering the area’s rise as a centre of chemical innovation. Linked directly to the River Mersey, these routes provided vital import and export connections to both the Manchester and Liverpool canal systems. The opening of the Bridgewater Canal in 1776 and later the Manchester Ship Canal in 1894 transformed Halton into a key transport corridor and pivotal logistics hub, enabling its industries to reach global markets.