Hollinwood Branch Canal

Hollinwood Branch Canal
Aqueduct over the River Medlock and remains of the first lock
Specifications
Maximum boat length	70 ft 0 in (21.34 m)
Maximum boat beam	7 ft 0 in (2.13 m)
Locks	8
Status	Restoration proposed
History
Original owner	Ashton Canal Company
Date of act	1792
Date closed	1897
Geography
Start point	Hollinwood
End point	Droylsden
Branch(es)	Fairbottom Branch
Branch of	Ashton Canal

53°28′40″N 2°09′01″W / 53.4778°N 2.1502°W / 53.4778; -2.1502

v t e Hollinwood Branch Canal
Legend
Old Lane colliery Werneth Branch Canal Hollinwood basin 23-26 Hollinwood Locks (4) 1792 proposed link to Rochdale Canal route cut by M60 motorway Cutler Hill Road bridge Crime Lake Crime Lane aqueduct Hollinwood Branch Canal Fenny Fields Bridge wharf A627 Bardsley Bridge Valley aqueduct Fairbottom Branch Canal Fairbottom Junction 19-22 Waterhouses Locks (4) River Medlock aqueduct route cut by M60 motorway Railway aqueduct A662 Manchester Road bridge Droylsden Marina 18 Fairfield Lock and Jn Ashton Canal

The Hollinwood Branch Canal was a canal near Hollinwood, in Oldham, England. It left the main line of the Ashton Canal at Fairfield Junction immediately above lock 18. It was just over 4.5 miles (7.2 km) long and went through Droylsden and Waterhouses to terminate at Hollinwood Basin (Hollinwood Top Wharf). It rose through four locks at Waterhouses (19–22) and another four at Hollinwood (23–26). Immediately above lock 22 at Waterhouses was Fairbottom Junction where the Fairbottom Branch Canal started. Beyond Hollinwood Basin there was a lock free private branch, known as the Werneth Branch Canal, to Old Lane Colliery, which opened in 1797. It is a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest^[1][2] and a Local Nature Reserve.^[3][4]