Work is now under way on the construction of the new Liverpool Canal Link - the extension of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal across Pier Head in front of the world famous Three Graces and into South Docks.
Currently the navigation along the canal ends next to the Tobacco Warehouse at Stanley Dock. The link will open up another 1.4 miles of navigable waterway to canal going craft and will provide a new focal point at Pier Head. The South Docks, which include the famous Albert Dock, will provide an exciting destination for boaters, giving them a good reason to travel along the canal right into Liverpool.
The Canal Link is planned to open following the city's 800th anniversary, and in readiness for the Capital of Culture celebrations in 2008. The Liverpool Canal Link project will support the continuing regeneration aims of partner organisations for the Liverpool Waterfront, and through north Liverpool and south Sefton.
The link would create a navigable channel across the Pier Head between Princes Dock and the South Docks.
Below is a virtual tour of the route as it is before construction begins.
Liverpool Docks, looking back from Salisbury Dock, across Collingwood Dock towards the Tobacco Warehouse, with the bascule bridge to the left giving access to Stanley Dock and the Leeds and Liverpool Canal beyond. Boats from the canal would emerge under the bridge, cross Collingwood Dock to Salisbury Dock then proceed to Trafalgar Dock, to the right of the picture.
The hexagonal Victoria clock tower at Salisbury Dock stands between two disused locks that formerly gave access between the Leeds and Liverpool Canal and the Mersey estuary beyond. Trafalgar Dock and the planned route of the link is to the left.
The northern section of West Trafalgar Dock has been infilled (the green area). The Victoria Tower at Salisbury Dock can be seen beyond the blue containers. Between the containers and the Victoria Tower, most of Trafalgar Dock has been infilled.
View across West Waterloo Dock from the "promenade". The infilled section can be seen at the far end of the dock.
Looking south along West Waterloo Dock, towards Princes Half Tide Dock.
Looking back northwards along West Waterloo Dock from Princes Half Tide Dock, which has been stanked off during partial infilling.
Parallel with West Waterloo Dock is East Waterloo Dock, with the Waterloo Warehouse to one side and new apartments to the other. East Waterloo Dock is a "cul-de-sac" and is not to be part of the link route.
A striking view of Waterloo Warehouse alongside East Waterloo Dock.
