Introduction
Action Weaver Valley was established in 1994. It covers the 21 mile stretch of the River Weaver from Winsford Flashes to its confluence with the River Mersey in Runcorn. This section of the river is owned and managed by British Waterways and is known as the Weaver Navigation.
The river was made navigable from Winsford to Frodsham in 1732. The success and wealth of the Weaver Navigation was built on the local salt industry and the river had a long and profitable commercial life.
The legacy of salt production and of the salt based chemical industry is still evident in the landscape today. The river has a number of unique historic structures including electrically powered swing bridges, graceful horse bridges and most notably the recently restored Anderton Boat Lift.
A sadder legacy of the industry along the river was its poor water quality. More recently, however, the reclamation of former chemical and salt mining areas in and around the towns of Northwich and Winsford have created important wildlife habitats and new networks of cycle and bridleways.
Today the river and the valley provide a host of recreational opportunities including boating, walking, rowing, canoeing and fishing.
The valley landscape is distinctive and the undisturbed sections include old river channels, ancient clough woodland and wet meadows that have significant nature conservation interest. These make an important contribution to the landscape and nature of the valley and its enjoyment by the public.
Contact Details
Ann Bates
Project Co-ordinator
United Utilities
Winnington Avenue
Winnington
Northwich
CW8 4EE
TEL: 01606 79576
FAX: 01606 871169
E-mail: a.bates@merseybasin.org.uk
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