The nine locks on the Rochdale Canal through the centre of Manchester are known as the "Rochdale Nine". During the period when most of the Rochdale Canal was closed, these nine locks remained open to navigation, forming part of the "Cheshire Ring". They became notorious among boaters for being difficult to operate. Since British Waterways took over responsibility for maintaining these locks the gates are in better working order, although the absence of by-washes can make the locks difficult to navigate, as excess water flows over the top gates.

Just south west of the junction with the Ashton Canal comes Dale Street Lock (84), the first of the "Rochdale Nine". These locks linking the Ashton and Bridgewater Canals through the centre of Manchester had been the only part of the Rochdale Canal not to be closed to navigation in 1952.

After Dale Street Lock, the canal plunges into a dark underworld below the modern buildings of Piccadilly. Piccadilly Lock (85) is in the middle of this tunnel and is seen ahead, between the pillars.

Looking back to Dale Street Lock from Piccadilly Lock. British Waterways have walled off the caverous areas to the side of Lock 85 to make this area less intimidating.

The canal emerges from the tunnel below the buildings of Piccadilly.

Looking westwards from Minshull Street to Lock 86 and Canal Street, with a building on Chorlton Street straddling the canal.

Looking back towards Minshull Street bridge from Lock 86 (Chorlton Street Lock).

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