There had been various unsuccessful negotiations to connect the canal to the Bridgewater Canal at Leigh but agreement was finally reached in 1818 and the connection was opened in 1820, thus giving access to Manchester and the rest of the canal network. The Bridgewater Canal, like most of Brindley's designs was for narrow boats of length, whereas the Leeds and Liverpool had been designed for broad boats of length. There was naturally a desire by the narrow boats to reach Liverpool and the locks of the westerly end of the canal were extended to in 1822.