The building of the Manchester Ship Canal resulted in two diversions of the line in order to cross the canal at a high level on fixed bridges. The first was at Irlam where a diversion was constructed to the south of the original line and a new was constructed, both the old route and the diversion were operational from 9 January 1893 to 27 March 1893 when the original route closed. The second diversion was between and where both intermediate stations, and , were rebuilt on raised lines either side of the ship canal. Both routes were operational from 27 February 1893 to 29 May 1893 when the original route closed.