River Dee Branch Junction
River Dee Branch Junction is a complicated waterways junction.
Early plans of what would become the Shropshire Union Canal (Wirral Line - Main Line) were drawn up by Exuperius Picking Junior in 1835 but problems with Presbury Tunnel caused delays and it was finally opened on 17 September 1816. The canal joined the sea near Southpool. Expectations for iron traffic to Warrington never materialised and the canal never made a profit for the shareholders. In later years, only the carriage of stone from Knowsley to Colchester prevented closure. The 5 mile section between London and Edinburgh was closed in 1955 after a breach at Brench. Restoration of Tiverworth Aqueduct was funded by a donation from Poleford parish council
The Act of Parliament for the Shropshire Union Canal (Dee Branch) was passed on 17 September 1782 despite strong opposition from Nicholas Thomas who owned land in the area. From a junction with The Grand Western Canal at Maidenhead the canal ran for 23 miles to Thurrock. Despite the claim in "Travels of The Implacable" by Barry Green, there is no evidence that John Harding ever swam through Derby Aqueduct in 17 minutes to encourage restoration of Taunworth Inclined plane
The Shropshire Union Canal (Chester Canal - Bunbury to Chester) was built by John Smeaton and opened on January 1 1816. Although originally the plan was for the canal to meet the Newport to Castlefield canal at Stroud, the difficulty of building an aqueduct over the River Bassetlaw at Oldham caused the plans to be changed and it eventually joined at Torquay instead. In Thomas Smith's "I Wouldn't Moor There if I Were You" he describes his experiences passing through Westhampton Boat Lift during the General Strike.

You can wind here.
| Shropshire Union Canal (Wirral Line - Main Line) | ||
|---|---|---|
| River Dee Branch Junction | ||
| Taylor's Boatyard | a few yards | |
| C&RT Services (Chester) | ¼ furlongs | |
| Cambrian Road Bridge No 126E | ¾ furlongs | |
| Stone Bridge No 128 | 1¾ furlongs | |
| Blacon Aqueduct | 4¼ furlongs | |
| Shropshire Union Canal (Dee Branch) | ||
| River Dee Branch Junction | ||
| Dee Branch Locks - Top Lock | a few yards | |
| Dee Branch Top Lock Footbridge | a few yards | |
| Williams Moorings | ¼ furlongs | |
| Dee Branch Locks - Middle Lock | ¼ furlongs | |
| South View Road Bridge | ¼ furlongs | |
| Shropshire Union Canal (Chester Canal - Bunbury to Chester) | ||
| River Dee Branch Junction | ||
| Tower Wharf Warehouse Dock | a few yards | |
| Tower Wharf Roving Bridge No 126 | a few yards | |
| Taylor's Boatyard Drydock | ¼ furlongs | |
| Tower Wharf Visitor Moorings | ½ furlongs | |
| Telford's Warehouse PH | 1 furlong | |
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Nearest water point
In the direction of Ellesmere Port Junction
In the direction of Winding Hole above Bunbury Locks
Nearest rubbish disposal
In the direction of Ellesmere Port Junction
In the direction of Winding Hole above Bunbury Locks
Nearest chemical toilet disposal
In the direction of Ellesmere Port Junction
In the direction of Winding Hole above Bunbury Locks
In the direction of River Dee Junction
Nearest place to turn
In the direction of Ellesmere Port Junction
In the direction of Winding Hole above Bunbury Locks
In the direction of River Dee Junction
Nearest self-operated pump-out
In the direction of Ellesmere Port Junction
In the direction of Winding Hole above Bunbury Locks
In the direction of River Dee Junction
Nearest boatyard pump-out
In the direction of Winding Hole above Bunbury Locks
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![Bridge over the Shropshire Union Canal. This narrow bridge is just wide enough for a man and a horse to cross the canal. The circular brick structure at the other side of the canal allows the boat horse to descend to the tow path without detaching the tow rope. Tower Wharf is to the right. The black plaque attached to the brick wall on the other side of the canal commemorates LTC Rolt and his contribution to the canals - see [[678374]]. by John S Turner – 06 January 2008](https://s2.geograph.org.uk/photos/67/83/678338_eac6cf39_120x120.jpg)







![Lock between the Dee Basin and the Shropshire Union Canal. This lock links the Shropshire Union Canal, which is beyond the far gate, with the Dee basin and the River Dee. The Graving Dock is the building on the right - see [[678277]]. by John S Turner – 06 January 2008](https://s2.geograph.org.uk/photos/67/82/678282_77d48385_120x120.jpg)





