The River Ribble

from source to sea
Part 15 - Preston: River and Marina

London Road Bridge

There has been a bridge here since 1403, but the present one dates from 1782. It was doubled in width during the 2nd World War. The bridge carries the A6, which was the main London to Carlisle road, before completion of the M6.

Confluence of Rivers Darwen and Ribble

Just downstream of London Road Bridge, the River Darwen joins the Ribble. This view is taken looking across the Ribble, up the Darwen. Although little is known about it, there was a Roman settlement here, on the banks of the River Darwen.

Shortly downstream from here the river becomes tidal.

Preston Marina

Although never a major port, Preston (Albert Edward) Docks opened in 1892. Cotton and wood pulp were the most important cargoes landed here. As the size of ships increased, fewer could use the dock. At the same time, the import of traditional cargoes decreased, and the cost of dredging silt from the channel increased. The docks closed because they were becoming increasingly uneconomic.

The docks are now home to pleasure craft, and the surrounding waterside areas house a retail park, multiplex cinema, housing, offices and light industrial units.

Dock Gates

As the river is tidal here, lock gates are needed to maintain the level of water in the dock. Here the outer gates are seen from the river side.

Tidal River

This is the view in the opposite direction, from almost the same point as the last photograph.

One and a half miles further downstream, to the north, Savick Brook joins the Ribble. The Ribble Link Trust intends this to be the basis of a new length of canal, to link the Lancaster Canal, north of Preston, to the Leeds Liverpool Canal. The southern section of this link is already in place: craft can navigate from the Ribble up the River Douglas, to join the canal at Tarleton.

Go to:

River Ribble Part 14

River Ribble Part 16

River Ribble index page.