History

The Leeds & Liverpool Canal was authorised in 1770 and constructed in sections until the main line, delayed by wars with France, was finally complete by 1816. At this time the canal terminus in Liverpool was near Old Leeds Street and consisted of a basin several metres away from and above the nearest docks which were George's Dock and Basin. These led to the construction of the South Docks of Albert, Salthouse and others further up the river. Due to there being no direct connection between canal and docks, transhipment of goods from docks to canal and vice versa was a laborious inefficient task.

During development of the Central Docks north down the River Mersey estuary in the mid 1800s a flight of four locks was constructed at Stanley Lock Flight to carry canal vessels down to the docks and entered the dock system through Stanley, Collingwood and Salisbury Docks. Here a barge lock was constructed to allow vessels to enter the river.

In 1981, as the result of a government initiative, Merseyside Development Corporation was established with a brief to revitalise the South Docks area, attract inward investment, business and visitors.

In 2003 ownership of the South Docks waterspace was transferred to BW who has exciting plans for the further development of the waterspace as a vibrant destination for visiting ships, pleasure boats and inland waterways craft as well as a water recreation amenity for Liverpool and the surrounding area.

The LCL provides a navigable route from the bottom of the existing Stanley Lock Flight on the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to Liverpool's South Docks.