River Mersey
River Mersey | |
---|---|
Location | |
Country | England |
Counties | Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Merseyside, Lancashire (Historic) |
Cities | Liverpool, Manchester |
Physical characteristics | |
Source | (source of the River Tame) |
• location | west of Buckstones Moss, West Yorkshire |
• coordinates | 53°37′07″N 2°00′13″W / 53.6187°N 2.0035°W |
• elevation | 1,552 ft (473 m) |
2nd source | (confluence of Tame and Goyt) |
• location | Stockport, Greater Manchester |
• coordinates | 53°24′51″N 2°09′23″W / 53.4143°N 2.1565°W |
• elevation | 130 ft (40 m) |
Mouth | |
• location | Liverpool Bay |
Length | 69 mi (111 km) |
Basin size | 1,810 sq mi (4,680 km2) |
Basin features | |
Designation | |
Official name | Mersey Estuary |
Designated | 20 December 1995 |
Reference no. | 785[1] |
The River Mersey (/ˈmɜːrzi/) is a major river in North West England. Its name derives from Old English and means "boundary river", possibly referring to its having been a border between the ancient kingdoms of Mercia and Northumbria.[2] For centuries it has formed part of the boundary between the historic counties of Lancashire and Cheshire.[3]
The Mersey starts at the confluence of the River Tame and River Goyt in Stockport. It flows westwards through south Manchester, then into the Manchester Ship Canal at Irlam, becoming a part of the canal and maintaining its water levels. After 4 miles (6.4 km) it exits the canal, flowing towards Warrington where it widens. It then narrows as it passes between Runcorn and Widnes. The river widens into a large estuary, which is 3 miles (4.8 km) across at its widest point near Ellesmere Port. The course of the river then turns northwards as the estuary narrows between Liverpool and Birkenhead on the Wirral Peninsula to the west, and empties into Liverpool Bay. In total the river flows 69 miles (111 km).[4]
A railway tunnel between Birkenhead and Liverpool as part of the
Water quality in the Mersey was severely affected by industrialisation, and in 1985, the
The river gave its name to
Etymology
Its name is derived from the Anglo-Saxon mǣres, 'of a boundary' and ēa, 'a river'.[3] The Mersey was possibly the 'border river' between Mercia and Northumbria.[2] Its Welsh name is Afon Merswy.
Course
The Mersey is formed from three
Stockport to Warrington
From Central Stockport the river flows through or past
During the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal, the original course of the river through Wilderspool (which is north of Stockton Heath and Lower Walton) was diverted westward into a canalised section. Wilderspool Causeway remains the only remnant of the original eastern bank of the Mersey at this point in Warrington. Part of the original river channel became Warrington Dock (Walton Lock) in the ship canal. In the 1960s, the former river channel was filled. The area is now Wilderspool Causeway Park. At the western end of the canalised section in Warrington is the old entrance to the former Runcorn to Latchford Canal. This waterway was abandoned with the contruction of the ship canal. It was constructed because the Mersey is tidal from Howley Weir in Warrington. The canal let river traffic reach Warrington during low tides.
During high spring tides, water levels often top the Howley Weir. Before construction of the ship canal, work to improve navigation on the Mersey included Woolston New Cut, bypassing a meander, and Howley Lock for craft to avoid the weir; the new cut and lock are still evident. The island formed between the weir and the lock is known locally as "Monkey Island".
Runcorn Gap
West of Warrington the river widens, and then narrows as it passes through the Runcorn Gap between the towns of
Estuary
Most of the
For 200 years an admiral was appointed as a conservator to ensure the river remained navigable. Mary Kendrick was the first woman to the post and she had spent years studying a Mersey barrage in the 1980s.[11]
Taylor's Bank is a large sandbank extending out to sea on the north side of the channel entrance to the river on which many ships have come to grief over the years.[12][13]
River crossings
Historically the lowest bridging point on the Mersey was at Warrington where there has been a bridge since
Countless people died on the River Mersey until the advent of safe passage via bridges and tunnels.[16] Many of these deaths were of people who earned their living on the river, either as mariners or dock workers. The majority of mariners to die worked on the Mersey flat boats and drowned due to the weather conditions or poor craft maintenance, although many ordinary civilians perished too.[16] Another ferry existed at Runcorn Gap and by today's safety standards was highly dangerous. Passengers had to traverse wooden planks over the mud flats to reach the ferry boats which themselves were often poorly maintained and leaking. Even the steps down to the river bank were described as "beautifully slippery". In the dark the ferry was particularly worrying as there were few or no lights and the journey was only undertaken on a "needs must" basis. Complaints about the appalling conditions were reported in the local and national press consistently for over 40 years.[16]
In the early 19th century steam operated ferries were introduced.[9] The Mersey Ferry, managed and operated by Merseytravel, operates between Pier Head in Liverpool and Woodside in Birkenhead and Seacombe. It has become a tourist attraction offering cruises that provide an overview of the river and surrounding areas.[17]
The
Further upstream, the
East of Warrington, the M6 motorway crosses the river and the Manchester Ship Canal on the Thelwall Viaduct. When the viaduct opened in 1963, it was the longest motorway bridge in England.[21] A second viaduct alongside opened in 1995; northbound traffic uses the old viaduct and southbound the new.
A new 6-lane bridge, the "
Environment
Water quality in the Mersey was severely affected by industrialisation, and in 1985, the Mersey Basin Campaign was established to improve water quality and encourage waterside regeneration. In 2002, oxygen levels that could support fish along the entire length were recorded for the first time since industry began on the Mersey.[23]
In 2009 it was announced that the river is "cleaner than at any time since the industrial revolution" and is "now considered one of the cleanest [rivers] in the UK".[24]
Sediment pollution
Persistent organic and
Fauna
Environmental designations
The section of the estuary between Runcorn Railway Bridge and Bromborough, including Hale Duck Decoy and Mount Manisty, is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, the SSSI citation describing it as an "internationally important site for wildfowl".[35] There are further SSSIs at New Ferry[36] and Mersey Narrows.[37] The Mersey Estuary,[1] and the Mersey Narrows and North Wirral Foreshore,[38] are also Ramsar sites.
Capt. William Gill of the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, charted a safe, navigable channel (the Victoria Channel) through the treacherous uncharted waters of the estuary in 1836.[39]
Since the construction of the Manchester Ship Canal, large commercial vessels do not usually navigate the estuary beyond
Recreation
The Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service manages local nature reserves such as
It is possible to canoe on parts of the river between Stockport and Carrington.[41] Liverpool Sailing Club located at Garston Coastal Park on the north bank of the estuary has a 1000 feet slipway giving access to river for water sports.[42]
The wooded suburban stretch of the river from above Howley Weir to Woolston is also used for recreational and competitive rowing, operated from the Warrington Rowing Club.[citation needed]
Angling has become popular on some stretches of the river as fish such as perch, barbel, grayling, carp, roach, chub, trout, pike, bream and dace have been caught. Warrington Anglers Association have fishing rights on a large stretch of the River through most of Warrington. Prince Albert Angling Society also have a small stretch near Rixton.[citation needed]
The river has also faced problems regarding the poaching of fish despite a strict 'catch and release' policy imposed on anglers for ecological reasons which applies to most UK waterways.[43]
Mersey barrage
Proposals continue for the construction of the
In popular culture
The river gave its name to
The river's stretch through Manchester is the main theme in the
The
The traditional song "
Religious significance
The Mersey is considered sacred by
Tributaries
From its lowest point, moving upstream, confluences and
- The Birket
- River Fender
- Arrowe Brook
- River Dibbin
- Clatter Brook
- River Gowy
- Hornsmill Brook
- River Weaver
- Ram's Brook
- Bowers Brook
- Sankey Brook
- Padgate Brook
- Morris Brook
- Spittle Brook
- Thelwall Brook
- Fishington Brook
- River Bollin
- Marsh Brook
- Red Brook
- Glaze Brook/River Glaze
- River Irwell
- Old Eea Brook
- Stromford Brook
- Chorlton Brook
- Barrow Brook
- Gatley Brook
- Micker Brook
- Tin Brook
- River Tame
- River Goyt
See also
References
- ^ a b c "Mersey Estuary". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-905164-99-1.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-19-280074-9.
- ISBN 9780711233638.
- ^ a b "Mersey Gateway Bridge is now open | The Mersey Gateway Project". merseygateway.co.uk. Archived from the original on 27 October 2017. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
- ^ John Stockdale (12 April 1794). "Environs of Mottram in Longendale". spinningtheweb.org.uk. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011.
- ^ "Yorkshire Sheet 280". National Library of Scotland. Ordnance Survey. Retrieved 13 January 2022.
- ^ Mersey ferries (PDF), Liverpool Museums, retrieved 24 August 2012
- ^ a b River Mersey, National Oceanography Centre, archived from the original on 2 February 2012, retrieved 24 August 2012
- ^ a b "Merseyside History, Seaforth Dock". Mersey Reporter. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011.
- ^ "A tribute to Mary Kendrick MBE". hrwallingford.com. Retrieved 21 June 2020.
- ^ "Liverpool (Approaches, Docks and Marina): Liverpool docks and Marina 2018: Visitmyharbour.com". visitmyharbour.com.
- .
- ^ Warrington Background and analysis, merseyforest.org.uk, archived from the original on 19 June 2013, retrieved 25 August 2012
- ^ Warrington Bridge, Engineering timelines, retrieved 25 August 2012
- ^ a b c Title; Across the Gap. Author; Jean M. Morris. Year 2016. Publisher; Springfield Farrihy Publishing; pp. 204–237
- Mersey Ferries. Archived from the originalon 23 July 2010. Retrieved 27 August 2012.
- ^ Mersey Railway, Engineering Timelines, retrieved 25 August 2012
- ^ Runcorn Rail Bridge, Engineering Timelines, retrieved 25 August 2012
- ^ Historic England, "Runcorn Widnes Road Bridge (1130421)", National Heritage List for England, retrieved 25 August 2012
- ^ M6 Warrington to Preston (J20 to J29), accessed on 4 August 2012
- ^ "Future of the Silver Jubilee Bridge | The Mersey Gateway Project". merseygateway.co.uk. Retrieved 27 October 2017.
- ^ "Mersey cleanest for 200 years". BBC News. 9 May 2003.
- ^ Smith, Mark (24 September 2009). "Mersey 'cleanest since industrial revolution'". Runcorn Weekly News. Trinity Mirror North West & North Wales. p. 7.
- ^ PMID 17258286.
- ^ PMID 19356771.
- PMID 23145338.
- ^ Billington, Sam. "Salmon behaviour in the Mersey Catchment" (PDF). Environment Agency. Archived from the original (PDF) on 28 March 2014.
- ^ Atlantic grey seal, Cheshire Region Biodiversity Project, archived from the original on 6 August 2012, retrieved 25 August 2012
- ^ Otters return to once-polluted River Mersey, BBC News, 23 November 2011, retrieved 25 August 2012
- ^ a b "Making the most of the Mersey" (PDF). Liverpool Hope University. p. 25. Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 August 2003.
- ^ "Mersey Estuary". RSPB. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ "Flocking to the Mersey" (PDF). Mersey Basin. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ "Waterbird population trend analysis of the Mersey Estuary SPA, Mersey Narrows & North Wirral Foreshore pSPA and Ribble & Alt Estuaries SPA". Natural England. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
- ^ Natural England (1985). "Mersey Estuary (SSSI citation)" (PDF). Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ Natural England (2000). "New Ferry (SSSI citation)" (PDF). Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ Natural England (2000). "Mersey Narrows (SSSI citation)" (PDF). Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ "The Mersey Narrows and North Wirral Foreshore". Ramsar Sites Information Service. Ramsar. 7 May 2013. Retrieved 4 January 2022.
- ^ Discovering the Channel, isle-of-man.com, retrieved 25 August 2012
- ^ Welcome to the Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service, Mersey Valley Countryside Warden Service, archived from the original on 21 September 2012, retrieved 27 August 2012
- ^ Canoe trail of the River Mersey, Canoe England, retrieved 27 August 2012
- ^ Liverpool Sailing Club, Liverpool Sailing Club, retrieved 27 August 2012
- ^ "Pair guilty of illegal fish poaching". Warrington Guardian. 5 July 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2015.
- ^ "Mersey Tidal Power Feasibility Study | Mersey Tidal Power". Archived from the original on 8 August 2013.
- ^ "Plans for huge barrage across River Mersey progress after new agreement". 6 December 2022.
- ^ "Tall Ships to return to Liverpool after River Mersey event added", Liverpool Daily Post, retrieved 27 August 2012
- ^ "Tall Ships". BBC. Retrieved 24 August 2019.
- ^ Irish Songs. "Collection of Irish Song Lyrics". irishsongs.com. Retrieved 26 February 2021.
- ^ "River Mersey festival celebrates Hindus birthday of Lord Ganesh". Liverpool Daily Post. 23 September 2010. Archived from the original on 20 September 2012.
- ^ "River marks religious ceremony". BBC News. 14 September 2008.
Further reading
- Hills, Graham H. (1858). Essay on the hydrography of the Mersey Estuary. Liverpool: George McCorquodale & Co.
- Various well-known experts (1888). Industrial rivers of the United Kingdom. London: T. Fisher Unwin. pp. 19–44.
External links
- River Mersey Information
- Howley Lock
- "Salmon behaviour in the Mersey Catchment" at environment-agency.gov.uk
- Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). . Encyclopædia Britannica (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press.
- Thorp, Robert. Mersey Built: The Role of Merseyside in the American Civil War. Wilmington: Vernon Press, 2017.