Junction Bridge Canal Basin And Former Dry Dock, Top Locks (That Part In Lathom) Leeds And Liverpool Canal Junction Bridge Canal Basin And Former Dry Dock, Top Locks (That Part In Burscough)

The Junction Bridge Canal Basin and former dry dock at Top Locks, located on the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, dates back to around 1781 and was designed by resident engineer Richard Owen for the Leeds-Liverpool Canal Company. The canal basin is constructed from coursed sandstone blocks, while the dry dock is made of coursed sandstone rubble.

The basin serves as the inner entrance to the Rufford Branch Canal, leading to the upper of the two Top Locks. The east side of the basin is straight, featuring a narrow flagged footpath alongside the towpath wall, which is made of coursed squared sandstone with a rounded coping. The west side has two convex sections, creating a curved entrance to the dry dock.

The dry dock is positioned at right angles to the basin and features an entrance gate made of large wooden beams fitted into the side walls. The south wall runs straight and is parallel to the main line of the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, while the north side is curved and sloped. There are two flights of steps leading down, one at the east end and another in the west end wall. The floor of the dock includes a set of six wooden trestles, which are used to support boats and appear to have been restored. This site is a central feature among the canal structures at Top Locks and is situated on the boundary between Burscough and Lathom.