 Most of the traffic along the canal transported coal from the many collieries that existed along its length , such as Outwood Colliery and Ladyshore Colliery . Some of these pits were linked to the canal by road , and some by short tramlines . In the late 19th century as much as 650 @,@ 000 metric tons ( 640 @,@ 000 long tons ) of coal and 43 @,@ 000 metric tons ( 42 @,@ 000 long tons ) of other materials including night soil and fruit were transported annually . The canal also enabled the transport of salt from Cheshire to the many bleach and dye works in its area – hence the name of Salt Wharf on the Bolton arm of the canal . Tolls were easily calculated as milestones were placed along the towpath at ¼ mile ( 400 m ) intervals . This was important as journeys were often quite short , the collieries being so close to industry along the canal 's length . 
