Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
An island at Rushall Junction to control traffic using the Rushall Canal
.
Passing TS
Leopard
, with its anti-aircraft gun, the canal plunges into another deep cutting.
There are frequent outcrops of red sandstone. These are sufficiently soft for them to have
needed to be reinforced with sections of red brickwork in many places. Meanwhile, the canal
is edged with black bricks laid with black mortar, which provides a very smart finish. This is
said to be one of the best angling waters in the Midlands.
The smartness is also present in the Perry Barr First Flight of locks, which were refur-
bished with attractive brickwork. Barr Top Lock Wharf lies beyond the A34 bridge. The first
seven locks come as a 700m flight, on the way passing the Birmingham Alexander Stadium
in Perry Park. It has an artificial football pitch, running track and full athletics facilities in a
large, modern site.
The M6 crosses on the Thornbridge Viaduct, a viaduct that was extensively repaired using
a very powerful water lance to cut out deteriorated concrete. Four more locks follow, forming
Perry Barr Second Flight. Lock 11 is set between a container terminal and a sports ground
lined with poplar trees, which shed their downy white seed on to the canal profusely in the
autumn. The vicinity of Perry Barr Wharf has several industrial areas. Among these are two
significantly older churches at Upper Witton, the first near the canal, with a rather short spire,
and the other set amidst a cemetery.
The canal moves into a heavily industrial area for the final two locks, Perry Barr Third
Flight. Beside the second of these is an old lock cottage covered with roses, defiantly holding
on in its industrial surroundings. All is not derelict, however. As well as the lock cottage,
there are various other places where the towpath can offer a colourful assortment of vetch,
convolvulus and purple lupins, the latter thriving in the vicinity of Salford Junction.
