Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Galton Bridge, now less easy to view
.
A long straight section of the canal passes under another interesting group of bridges. The
Old Main Loop Line crosses to the higher ground on the south on the Steward Aqueduct, and
the M5 viaduct is supported on uncompromising nodes in the centre of the canal.
Pudding Green Junction leads off northwards to the Walsall Canal in an area of small but
bustling works. By now the New Main Line is on a dead-straight 4km run through to Tipton.
At Albion Junction the Gower Branch, with its deep locks, connects with the Old Main Loop
Line. The only extensive views on this section are of the hills around Dudley.
From Dudley Port Junction the Netherton Tunnel Branch runs parallel to the Gower
Branch and, in the distance, it can be seen passing under the Old Main Loop Line and up to
the mouth of Netherton Tunnel, the largest cross-section canal tunnel in the country.
Residential properties close in on the south side of the canal and a canal cottage sits on
top of the embankment near a couple of aqueducts. The Ryland Aqueduct of 1968 clears the
A461 with a single 24m concrete span.
Beyond the Noah's Ark pub, the three Factory Locks bring the New Main Line up to rejoin
the Old Main Loop Line at Tipton Factory Junction. Noteworthy are a split bridge over the
