The Rochdale Canal runs through East Manchester with its banks creating a 'blue-green corridor' through the area.
The canal runs for 33 miles from Manchester to Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire and passes through Ancoats, Miles Platting and Newton Heath in East Manchester on its way out to Oldham and beyond. It is regularly frequented by boat traffic as it forms part of the 'Pennine Ring' and is a 'Broad' canal because its bridges and locks are wide enough to allow vessels of 14 ft width.
The opening of the New Islington Marina and the link it will form between the Rochdale and Ashton Canal will undoubtedly see an increase in canal boat traffic on both canals as it will add substantially to the amount of mooring space in Manchester and will also allow boaters to get from one canal to the other without navigating the tricky lock system in Manchester city centre.
The canal towpath creates a swathe of green space through the area and an enjoyable route for walking and cycling (permits are required for cycling which can be easily downloaded from the Pennine Waterways website). A section of the canal through Miles Platting is also designated as a Site of Biological Importance due to the unique and thriving marginal planting along the canalside.