Irlam Ferry.

Two ferries were provided very close to each other here to preserve existing rights of way.

The one indicated on the map is actually  Hulmes ferry which  replaced the original Hulmes bridge over the Irwell. The bridge and the adjacent lock on the old Navigation had to be demolished to make way for the ship canal and so a ferry had to be provided by the Company to take it's place.  The ferry was provided for passengers only and is believed to still operate today. As it replaced an existing bridge no charges could be made and  in the local area it has always been known as the "free ferry".

The "Irlam ferry"  was situated a short distance downstream from here and was in fact a couple of hundred yards above Irlam locks. This one, having replaced an existing ferry crossing over the river,  was never free of charge until it was finally withdrawn.

The ferry used to cross the canal between Flixton and Irlam and was originally operated by a cable hauled ferry boat capable of carrying animals and vehicles,  but later a single rowing boat was used to carry passengers and bicycles only, the ferryman standing in the stern and propelling the boat across with a single oar. In later years the rowing boat  was replaced with a motorised ferry,  although the charges then rose accordingly.

The ferry was eventually withdrawn in the 1970's  as it was becoming increasingly uneconomic to maintain, but as the existing right of way had to be maintained it was decided to allow pedestrians and cyclists to walk across the nearby locks. A pedestrian swing bridge has been built over the locks to allow safe passage over the canal, but whenever  a ship is in either lock it is neccessary to walk over the narrow lock gates in order to cross.