The Rochdale Canal was constructed between 1794 and 1804 in order to carry heavy cargo 55 kilometres from Sowerby Bridge to Manchester. In its heyday, it carried commercial goods such as wool and cotton to the seaports of Hull and Liverpool, fueling the industrial development of Lancashire and Yorkshire.
Oldham Metropolitan Borough Council (MBC), lead designer for a major part of the project, relied on civil design solutions from Bentley from start to finish. The company has installed Bentley solutions throughout its technical services departments, property services, architecture, engineering, and highways.