Rochdale Canal, Hebden Bridge

The buildings on the left belonged to Oldfield, Watson, Builders and the chimney was for Crossley Mill. The Rochdale Canal opened in stages as sections were completed, with the Rochdale Branch the first in 1798 and further sections in 1799. The bottom nine locks opened in 1800 and boats using the Ashton Canal could reach Manchester. Officially, the canal opened in 1804, but construction work continued for a further three years. By 1965 the Rochdale Canal had fallen into such dereliction that an Act of Parliament was sought to authorise its abandonment. This was granted but by early 1971, there were moves for the canal’s restoration. A boat rally was organised on the canal, and later that year. Discussion of the relative merits of restoring the Rochdale Canal or the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in 1973 led to the formation of societies to promote both schemes in 1974. The Rochdale Canal Society wanted to see the canal fully re-opened, as part of a proposed Pennine Park. The Ashton Canal, which joins the canal above lock 84, reopened in 1974, and the nine locks on the Rochdale Canal between the junction and the Bridgewater Canal were restored at that time. The canal benefited from the activities of the Manpower Services Commission in 1975, when £40,000 was allocated under the Job Creation Scheme to fund work on the Rochdale town section of the canal. The following year, another 150 jobs were created when a further £208,000 grant was made. The section from Todmorden to Hebden Bridge was completed in 1983, and opened on 20 May of that year.