Moorings on the Ashton Canal

The Ashton Canal runs for six miles (9.7 km) east from Ducie Street Junction in central Manchester, where it meets the Rochdale Canal, to Ashton-under-Lyne. On the way it passes through Ancoats, Clayton, Openshaw, Droylsden, Fairfield and Audenshaw, running close to the Etihad Stadium. At Dukinfield Junction, by Portland Basin, it meets the Peak Forest Canal and the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

The Canal & River Trust manages the canal, which has 18 narrow locks and takes boats up to 70 feet long and 7 feet wide. It closed in 1961, and after a volunteer campaign known as Operation Ashton it reopened to boats on 1 April 1974. Most of its old branches are derelict, though restoration groups are working on some of them.

There are secure moorings on the Ashton Canal towards its eastern end. Droylsden Marina, on the Hollinwood Branch beside Fairfield Top Lock, offers permanent and long-term berths with electricity, water and showers. Portland Basin Marina, at the junction with the Peak Forest and Huddersfield Narrow canals near Ashton-under-Lyne, has moorings along with diesel, chandlery and a dry dock.