Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Smethwick Lock, formerly duplicated. The chamber on the left side has been filled in
.
The Engine Arm was a feeder to the summit level from Rotton Park Reservoir via the
Boulton & Watt engine, which operated for 120 years. It leads across Telford's magnificent
Engine Arm Aqueduct of 1825, a scheduled ancient monument, past the Galton Valley Canal
Heritage Centre. The Old Main Loop Line towpath travels over the Engine Arm Canal on a
brick footbridge with indented honeycomb stone quoins.
The three locks down to the lower level are the bottom ones of the original six, all listed
buildings. In 1789 Smeaton duplicated these three locks. Brindley's originals were filled in
during the 1960s. There was a Toll House between the upper pair. The layout of Pope's
Bridge, carrying Bridge Street, shows the alignment of the two lock flights.
The two main lines meet at Smethwick Junction, Soho, notable features being two cast-
iron footbridges installed in 1828 after being prefabricated at the Horseley Ironworks in
Tipton. Once again these are listed buildings. Their semi-elliptical shape gives an advantage
over segmental curves by allowing greater headroom for horses passing below.
