I've learned even more! Having lived in or around Salford and Manchester all my life until now I was surprised to hear about the Salford and Manchester Junction Canal! I googled it and found it was abandoned in 1922. Seems to have been superseeded by the Manchester Ship Canal. Thanks for the reference, Tatie:-) I think tne old canal referenced in the song though is probably the Manchester, Bolton and Bury which had it's start around the same place as tne gasworks in Salford.

Cheers

DtG