Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1 Birmingham Canal Navigations: Old Main
Loop Line
Distance
10km from Tipton Factory Junction to Smethwick Junction
Highlights
Telford's listed Steward Aqueduct, where motorway passes over railway, which passes over
canal, which passes over canal
Oldest working locks in Britain, at Spon Lane
Galton Valley Canal Heritage Area
Telford's Engine Arm Aqueduct
Navigation Authority
Canal & River Trust
Canal Society
Birmingham Canal Navigations Society
www.bcnsociety.co.uk
OS 1:50,000 Map
139 Birmingham & Wolverhampton
Possibly because Birmingham is the only major city not located on a large river, it has had to
rely on its man-made waterways, having more canals than Venice. The whole canal network
spreads out from Birmingham and it is to the Birmingham Canal Navigations (BCN) that all
the loose ends connect. It is, therefore, intensely complex, completely built-up and industrial.
Its commercial influence is declining but remains sufficient to reduce its attraction as a cruis-
ing waterway, resulting in lighter traffic.
Of Britain's operational canals, only the Fossdyke and the Bridgewater pre-date the Birm-
ingham. The Birmingham Canal Company were authorised to build their line in 1768 and the
following year Brindley opened it as far as Wednesbury. The whole 36km course was com-
pleted in 1772 and, because of the minerals and industry along its route, it was immediately
highly successful.
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