Burnley would have been connected to the canal by a branch heading up the valley.
Consequently, the route of the canal was redrawn to go through Burnley.
About halfway along the embankment, the canal crosses Yorkshire Street over an aqueduct called the Culvert.
In addition, a number of dockyards, wharves and coal staithes sprang up along its length.
The canal and the embankment is now maintained by the Canal & River Trust.
