Looking across at Warton over the Douglas' confluence with the Ribble,from sea wall of Hesketh Bank,by Asland estuary.
Looking across the Asland confluence with the Ribble at the B Ae buildings of Warton,on a very high spring tide this day
Looking across the Asland confluence with the Ribble at the Naze Industrial Estate, Freckleton,on a very high spring tide this day
Looking across the Asland confluence with the Ribble at Clifton Marsh and Savick,on a very high spring tide this day
Looking across the Asland confluence with the Ribble at the Naze estuary and Naze Wood,on a very high spring tide this day
Looking across the Asland confluence with the Ribble at the Savick estate area,on a very high spring tide this day
Looking across the Asland confluence with the Ribble at the Naze Industrial Estate and Freckleton,on a very high spring tide this day
Looking across the Asland confluence with the Ribble at Clifton Marsh and distant hills,on a very high spring tide this day
The confluence of the River Douglas(formerly Asland)meeting the Ribble Navigation(left).The Leeds and Liverpool locks on at Tarleton on the right of the map.
Looking across the Asland confluence with the Ribble at the Longridge hills and Clifton marsh;on a very high spring tide this day
Looking across the Asland confluence with the Ribble at the Naze estuary and Freckleton,on a very high spring tide this day.
Looking across the Douglas estuary near Asland towards Rivington Pike and Winter Hill.The spring tide was very high today.
Looking across the Asland confluence with the Ribble at the B Ae buildings on Warton airfield.They would not let me proceed any further than here today.
The Douglas looking out towards Asland from the Hoole Bank
Canal boats running together down the Douglas at Hesketh Bank when the Ribble Link opened.The bright new lifejackets show it's probably their first tidal water voyage
The busy Douglas in it's heyday.The brickworks train is crossing on the former SW Lancs.Railway Swing Bridge as the steam barge pulls two lighters towards Asland lamp
This Steam Swing bridge carried the SW Lancs.Railway crossing at Hesketh Bank.As passenger traffic declined it conveyed brick clay from pits at Longton for Hesketh Works.Dr.Beeching shut the railway early 1960s,but there is still evidence of the structure left today
The SW Lancs Railway swing bridge across the Douglas at Hesketh Bank.The seamen nearby are seemingly awaiting high water to get off the mud
This structure is the embankment of the SW Lancs Railway swing bridge that crossed the Douglas from Hoole to Hesketh Bank Brickworks area
This structure is the embankment of the SW Lancs Railway leading on to the swing bridge that crossed the Douglas from Hoole to Hesketh Bank Brickworks area
Typical commercial shipping on the Douglas awaiting the ebbing tide,making ready for Asland as the water rises.The Glasgow ship is getting up steam on the left.
This is a relic of the brickwork of the SW Lancs Railway swing bridge that crossed the Douglas from Hoole to Hesketh Bank Brickworks area(Hesketh side)
This is a relic of the woodwork of the SW Lancs Railway swing bridge that crossed the Douglas from Hoole to Hesketh Bank Brickworks area
The Old Brickworks at Hesketh Bank,various boats stored nearby beside the Douglas
The remains of the SW Lancs Railway that crossed over the Douglas swing bridge to the brickworks in background
Tidal pontoon Moorings at Hesketh Bank on Douglas
Tidal pontoon Moorings and small shipyard at Hesketh Bank on Douglas
seagoing boats stored beside the Douglas,Hesketh Bank
Boats under repair and stored beside Douglas at Hesketh Bank
The tide quite high already and still coming in on the Douglas,from outside the sea lock accessing the Leeds-Liverpool to the tidal Douglas at Tarleton
The tide quite high already and still coming in on the Douglas,from the sea lock accessing the Leeds-Liverpool to the tidal Douglas at Tarleton
The Douglas from the sea lock on a day when the tide will be quite high as it is still racing in but looks pretty full already.
The sea lock accessing the Leeds-Liverpool to the tidal Douglas at Tarleton
The tide quite high already and still ciming in on the Douglas,from the sea lock accessing the Leeds-Liverpool to the tidal Douglas at Tarleton
The Douglas curving upstream away from canal in background at Tarleton
Tide coming in at Douglas /canal sea lock,Tarleton.
The Douglas upstream of the canal lock,nearing the A59 double bridge,Tarleton industry behind the canal in background
This section is most confusing because some river became canal,and the course of the river was modified due to drainage and land reclamation of the whole douglas valley system.The canal A59 to Sollom,on right,was river navigation but now canal.Manmade river above it.
The sea lock of the Leeds-Liverpool canal on the Douglas at Tarleton
Craft moored near Douglas sea lock,Leeds-Liverpool canal,Tarleton
Moorings by sea lock,Leeds-Liverpool at Tarleton
Canal boats moored near Douglas sea lock,Leeds-Liverpool canal,Tarleton
Looking at the Leeds and Liverpool from the sea lock of the Douglas at Tarleton.
Above is man-made River Douglas,confluence with Yarrow top left.The canal below is quite embanked also,as this area was once mere bed below water level historically.
The Leeds and Liverpool Canal entry lock on the River Douglas at Tarleton viewed from downstream.
Downstream below A59 road bridge/warehouse.This is the canal today but was the original river Douglas so hence looks very natural.Fish are abundant hereabouts too.
This once busy warehouse served the Douglas Navigation,which just here became the Leeds-Liverpool Canal(close to A59 double bridge)
The A59 road bridge is a tight squeeze for a widebeam,it was designed for horsedrawn barges coming down the Douglas Navigation from Wigan loaded with coal.This became the Leeds-Liverpool canal when the River Douglas was re-routed.
Top left the much embanked Douglas.Areas around Rufford(situated on a hill)were the bed of a vast mere before reclamation/pumping so still low lands;the canal is quite embanked here also.
Leeds-Liverpool canal previously River Douglas Navigation(excellent fishing area) looking towards A59 from Sollom lock bridge
This ancient masonry at Sollom was a river lock of the original Douglas Navigation;now forming a part of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal-a tight squeeze for a widebeam ,bridge and all!
The Yarrow running into the man-made Douglas east of Sollom,looking SE
The rickety Bailey Bridge of Eyes Lane crossing the man-made Douglas between Sollom and Bretherton.
The (re-managed)confluence of the man-made Douglas with the waters of the Yarrow and Lostock entering from Croston direction.
The man-made Douglas flowing north towards the A59 from the Bailey Bridge,Eyes Lane, near Sollom
The man made Douglas looking South from Great Hanging Bridge
The man made Douglas looking North from Great Hanging Bridge
(bottom centre)The Rufford branch joins main Liverpool-Leeds at Burscough Junction.The Douglas curls NW off top of picture,coming under the canal(which has locked up several metres) at the foot of Parbold Hill
The once bustling Burscough Junction where Rufford branch meets the main Liverpool to Leeds Canal.This fine stone bridge carries the towpath over the branch canal
