Weaste Wharf.

The wharf  was completely refurbished in 2000 and now handles exports from the Blue Circle cement company's  new distribution centre at Salford,  the wharf having been last used in the 1970's when it handled the North West Water Authority sludge boats taking waste from Weaste sewage works for discharge into Liverpool Bay.

The first vessel to visit the wharf after it's refurbishment was the MV Cem River which loaded 3,700 tons of cement  (which had been brought by rail from Derbyshire)  for the Azores.

It is estimated that 200,000 tons of cement will be exported from here each year, so bringing more welcome  traffic to the upper reaches of the canal.

A heron seen on the Trafford bank at Weaste. The great number of these and other

waterbirds on the canal is an indication of how clean the water has become in recent

years. In the canal's heyday the waters were very badly polluted with oil and other

noxious substances.