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(10) - BIRMINGHAM CANAL NAVIGATIONS.

 

(a) Short Description.

The Birmingham Canal Navigations comprise a large system of canals, with numerous branches situated in South Staffordshire, East Worcestershire, and North Warwickshire, having a total mileage of 159 miles. The principal places served are :- Birmingham, Smethwick, Oldbury, Dudley, Brierley Hill, Tipton, Wednesbury, Wolverhampton, Wednesfield, Walsall, Bilston, Darlaston, Lichfield, Cannock, and Fazeley. The system is a very complicated one, owing to many improvements and fresh canals which have been added to it from time to time.

The old main line from Birmingham to Aldersley Junction was originally 22 miles in length. Its deviations from the course of the present main line included the Icknield Port Road Wharf Loop Line, the Soho Branch Loop Line, the Old Main Loop Line from Smethwick Junction to Tipton Factory Junction, and the Wednesbury Oak Loop Line. A large portion of the district is subject to subsidences due to coal mining operations, which cause the maintenance of the canals to be very difficult and expensive.

A portion of the Dudley Canal-Line No.2 (No. 10f2) - between Parkhead Junction and Blackbrook Junction has been closed since March, 1898, owing to heavy subsidences.

The Bilston and Willenhall short branches leading out of the Walsall Canal (No. l0k1) between Moxley Stop and Bug Hole Wharf are also closed, as well as a portion of the Spon Lane Branch of the Titford Canal (No. 10c4).

The Wolverhampton level extends from Smethwick Top Lock to Wolverhampton, Birchills, and Ogley Top Lock, and includes the portion of the Dudley Canal from Tipton to Parkhead, the Wednesbury Oak Loop Line, Lord Hay's Branch, the Cannock Extension, and the DawEnd and Anglesey Branches.

The Birmingham level extends from Paradise Street, Birmingham, to Tipton Factory Bottom Lock, and includes the Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal, and the portion of the Dudley Canal between Parkhead Bottom Lock and Selly Oak, and the Wednesbury Old Canal and branches.

 

The Walsall level extends from the bottom of Riders Green Locks to Walsall Junction, and includes the Anson Branch, and also the Tame Valley Canal to the top of Perry Barr Locks.

By Act of Parliament, the Birmingham Canal Company passed in 1846 under the control of the London and North Western Railway Company, the latter guaranteeing to the Canal Company a minimum dividend of four per cent on their capital.

 

 

(b) Proprietors, Officers, and Offices.

The Company of Proprietors of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

Clerk: William Hutton.
Assistant Clerk : Charles Watkins.
Chief Office: Paradise Street, Birmingham.

Engineer: George R. Jebb.
Assistant Engineer: C. H.. Nias.
Office: Paradise Street, Birmingham.

Assistant Mechanical Engineer: C. W. Robinson.
Office: Ocker Hill Works, Tipton.

 

 

(c) Distance Table.

Main Line (No. l0al).
Birmingham, Paradise Street, to -

Miles.

Fur.
Worcester Bar, junction with Worcester and Birmingham Canal (No. 90b)

-     

1
Farmer's Bridge, junction with Birmingham and Fazeley Canal (No. l0p1)

-

4
Junction with Oozells Street Branch (No. 10a2)

-

7
Eastern junction with Icknield Port Road Wharf Loop Line (No. 10a3)

1

0
Western junction with Icknield Port Road Wharf Loop Line (No. 10a3) - left, and eastern junction with Soho Branch Loop Line (No. 10a4) - right

1

1
Winson Green Railway Station L. & N. W. Rly

1

5
Western Junction with Soho Branch Loop Line (No. 10a4)

1

7
Smethwick Junction, junction with Old Main Loop Line from Smethwick Junction to Tipton Factory Junction (No. l0c1) 2 7
Bromford Junction, junction with Spon Lane Locks Branch (No. 10c3)-right, and junction with Parker Branch (No. l0a5)- left 4 7
Pudding Green Junction, junction with Wednesbury Old Canal (No10j1) 5 5
Albion Junction, junction with Gower Branch (No. l0d) 6 0
Dunkirk Junction, junction with Dunkirk Branch (No. 10a6) 6 2
Dudley Port Junction, junction with Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal (No. 10e) 6 6
Junction with Dixon's Branch (No. 10a7) 7 3
Watery Lane Junction, junction with Tipton Green and Toll End Communication (No.10i) - right and left

7

7
Tipton Factory Junction, junction with Old Main Loop Line from Smethwick Junction to Tipton Factory Junction (No. l0c1), and top of Tipton Factory Locks

8

3
Bloomfield Junction, southern junction with Wednesbury Oak Loop Line (No. l0b1)

   8   

5 ½
Coseley Tunnel, south end

9

1
Deepfields Junction, northern junction with) Wednesbury Oak Loop Line (No. l0b1)..

10

0
Parkfields Basins

10

6
Rough Hills

12

0
Horseley Fields Junction, junction with Wyrley and Essington Canal (No. l0q1)..

13

0
Wolverhampton, Albion Wharf, Fellows, Morton, & Clayton Ltd.-Canal Carriers

13

2 ½
Wolverhampton, top of 21 locks

13

4
Aldersley Junction, junction with Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal-Main Line-(No. 95a), and bottom of 21 locks

15

1

Oozells Street Branch (No. 10a2).
Junction with Main Line (No. l0al) to-
Oozells Street Wharf    - 2

Icknield Port Road Wharf Loop Line (No. 10a3)
Eastern Junction with Main Line (No. l0al) to-
Icknield Port Road Wharf

-

 3
Western Junction with Main Line (No. l0al)

-

 6

Soho Branch Loop Line (No. 10a4).
Eastern Junction with Main Line (No. l0al) to-
Junction with Soho Branch, ½ mile long to Soho Wharf

    -    

5
Winson Green Wharf

-

 7
Western Junction with Main Line (No. l0al) 1 2

Parker Branch (No. 10a5).
Length from junction with Main Line (No.l0al)

-

2

Dunkirk Branch (No. 10a6).
Length from junction with Main Line (No. l0al)

- 

2

Dixons Branch (No. 10a7)
Length from junction with Main Line (No. l0al)

-

6

Wednesbury Oak Loop Line (No. l0b1)
Bloomfield Junction, southern junction with Main Line (No. l0al), to-
Junction with Ocker Hill Branch Canal (No. 10b2)

1

 2
Wednesbury Oak

1

6
Bradley Locks Junction, junction with Bradley Branch Canal (No. l0h)

2

0
Pothouse Bridge Wharf

3

0
Capponfield

3

3
Deepfields Junction, northern junction with Main Line (No. l0al)

4

2

Ocker Hill Branch (No. 10b2)
Junction with Wednesbury Oak Loop Line (No. l0b1) to -
Ocker Hill, Birmingham Canal Co.'s workshops and pumping station

-

 5

Old Main Loop Line from Smethwick Junction to Tipton Factory Junction (No. l0c1).
Smethwick Junction, junction with Main Line (No. l0al), to -
Junction with Engine Branch, Smethwick (No. 10c2), and top of Smethwick Locks

-     

 4
Spon Lane Wharf and Junction, junction with Spon Lane Locks Branch (No. 10c3)

1

4
Oldbury Locks Junction, junction with Titford Canal (No. 10c4)

2

4
Junction with Houghton Branch Canal (No.47)

2

5
Southern junction with Oldbury Loop Line (No.10o5)

2

6
Northern junction with Oldbury Loop Line (No.10o5)

3

1 ½
Brades Hall Junction, junction with Gower Branch (No.10d)

3

5 ½
Aqueduct over Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal

4

3
Fellows, Morton, & Clayton Ltd.-Canal Carriers - Dudley Port Wharf and Warehouse (Dudley, distant 1 ½ miles)

4

7
Tipton Junction, junction with Dudley Canal (No. l0f1)

5 

4 ½
Tipton Green Junction, junction with Tipton Green and Toll End Communication (No.l0i)

5

6
Tipton Factory Junction, junction with Main Line (No. l0al)

6

0

Engine Branch, Smethwick, (No.10c2).

Length from junction with Old Main Loop Line (No.1001)

-

 5

Spon Lane Locks Branch (No.10c3)

Spon Lane Junction, junction with Old Main Loop Line (No.10c1), to-

Top of Spon Lane Locks

-

 1
Bromford Junction, junction with Main Line (No. l0al)

-

 3

Titford Canal (No.10c4)
Oldbury Locks Junction, junction with Old Main Loop Line (No.10c1), to-
Top of Oldbury Locks, and junction with Spon Lane Branch, one furlong in length, rest abandoned

-  

 3
Langley Green Wharf

1

1
Junction with Portway Branch, 6 furlongs in length, to Birchy Field Wharf and Portway

1

2
Titford Pool Wharf

1 

 3 ½
Causeway Green

1

6

Oldbury Loop Line (No.10c5).

The old course of the Canal round Oldbury.
Southern junction with Old Main Loop Line (No.10c1) to-
Northern junction with Old Main Loop Line (No.10c1)

1

0

Gower Branch Canal (No.10d).
Brades Hall Junction, junction with Old Main Line (No. l0c1), to-
Bottom of Brades Hall Locks

-  

2
Albion Junction, junction with Main Line (No. l0al)

-

4

Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal (No. l0e).
Dudley Port Junction, junction with Main Line (No. l0al), to-
North End of Netherton Tunnel

-

4
Windmill End Junction, junction with Dudley Canal (No. 10f2)

2

7

Dudley Canal-Line No.1 (No. l0f1).
Tipton Junction, junction with Old Main Loop Line (No. lOc1), to-
North End of Dudley Tunnel

-

3
Junction with Pensnett Canal (No. 85), and top of Parkhead Locks

2

1
Parkhead Junction, junction with Dudley Canal-Line No.2 (No. 10f2)-bottom of Parkhead Locks and top of Blowers Green Lock

2

3
Woodside Junction, junction with Two Lock Line Canal (No. l0g)

3 

 1
Brierley Hill, top of Delph Locks

4

1
Black Delph Wharf, bottom of Delph Locks, and junction with Stourbridge Canal - Main Line (No. 99a)

4

4

Dudley Canal Line No.2 (No. 10f2).
Parkhead Junction, junction with Dudley Canal-Line No.1 (No. lOf 1), to-
Blackbrook Junction, junction with Two Lock Line Canal (No. l0g)

- 

 6
Primrose Hill Wharf

1

5
Junction with Withymoor Branch Canal (No. 10f3)

2

1
Southern junction with Bumble Hole Branch Canal (No. 10f4)

2 

 3
Windmill End Junction, junction with Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal (No. l0c), and northern junction with Bumble Hole Branch Canal (No. 10f4)

2

5
Rowley Wharf

4

0
Waterfall Lane Wharf

4

1
Old Hill and northern end of Gosty Hill Tunnel

4

3
Haywood Wharf, Halesowen

5

5
Lappal Wharf, and west end of Lappal Tunnel

7

0
Harbourne Wharf

10

 4
Selly Oak, junction with Worcester and Birmingham Canal (No. 90b)

10

 6

Withymoor Branch Canal (No. 10f3).
Length from junction with Dudley Canal - Line No.2 (No. 10f2)

-

2

Bumble Hole Branch Canal (No. 10f4)
A loop line, 4 furlongs in length, from southern junction to northern junction with Dudley Canal-Line No.2 (No. 10f2) - at Windmill End

Two Lock Line Canal (No. l0g).
Woodside Junction, junction with Dudley Canal-Line No.1 (No. l0f1), to-
Blackbrook Junction, junction with Dudley Canal-Line No 2 (No. 10f2)

-

3

Bradley Branch Canal (No. l0h).
Bradley Locks Junction, junction with Wednesbury Oak Loop Line (No. l0b1), and top of Bradley Locks, to-
Moorcroft Junction, junction with Walsall Canal (No. l0k1) -  7

Tipton Green and Toll End Communication (No. l0i).
Tipton Green Junction, junction with Old Main Loop Line (No. l0c1), to-
Watery Lane Junction, junction with Main Line (No. l0al) - right and left, and bottom of Tipton Green Locks

-

 3
Toll End Wharf, and bottom of Toll End Locks

1

2
Toll End Junction, junction with Walsall Canal (No. l0k1)

1

4

Wednesbury Old Canal (No. l0j1).
Pudding Green Junction, junction with Main Line (No. l0al), to-
Riders Green Junction, junction with Walsall Canal (No. l0k1)

-

 5
Junction with Ridgacre Branch Canal (No. 10j2)

1

2
Golds Green

2

2
Termination of Canal

2

5

Ridgacre Branch Canal (No. 10j2).
Junction with Wednesbury Old Canal (No. 10j1) to -
Junction with Dartmouth Branch Canal (No. 10j3)

-

4 ½
Junction with Halford Branch Canal (No.10j4)

-

5 ½
Termination of Canal

-

6

Dartmouth Branch Canal (No. 10j3).
Length from junction with Ridgacre Branch Canal (No. 10j2) to-
Termination near Balls Hill

-

5

Halford Branch Canal (No. 10j4)
Length from junction with Ridgacre Branch Canal (No. 10j2)

-

4

Walsall Canal (No. l0k1).
Riders Green Junction, junction with Wednesbury Old Canal (No. l0j1), and top of Riders Green Locks, to-
Great Bridge, junction with Haines Branch (No. 10k2), and bottom of Riders Green Locks

-

6
Junction with Danks Branch (No. 10k3)

1

0
Toll End Junction, junction with Tipton Green and Toll End Communication (No. 10i)

1

1
Junction with Lower Ocker Hill Branch (No. 10k4)

1

2
Junction with Tame Valley Canal (No. 10n)

1

3
Junction with Gospel Oak Branch (No. 10k5)..

2 

 0 ½
Junction with Monway Branch (No. 10k6)

2

 1 ½
Moorcroft Junction, junction with Bradley Branch Canal (No. 10h)

2

3
Moxley Stop

3

0
Bug Hole Wharf

4

2
Darlaston Green Wharf

4

6
Junction with Anson Branch (No. 10k7)

5

1
Walsall Junction, junction with Walsall Branch Canal (No.10 1)..

6

7
Walsall Public Wharf

7

0

Haines Branch Canal (No. 10k2).
Length from junction with Walsall Canal (No. l0ki) to termination of canal near Dudley Port.

-

5

Danks Branch Canal (No. 10k3)
Length from junction with Walsall Canal (No. l0k1) to junction with Tame Valley (No. 10n)

-

5

Lower Ocker Hill Branch Canal (No. 10k4).
Length from junction with Walsall Canal (No. 10k1)

-

1

Gospel Oak Branch Canal (No 10k5)
Length from junction with Walsall Canal (No. 10k1) to-
Lea Brook Wharf, Gospel Oak

-

4

Monway Branch Canal (No. 10k6).

Length from junction with Walsall Canal (No. l0ki) to near Wednesbury

-

3

Anson Branch Canal (No. 10k7).
Junction with Walsall Canal (No. l0k1), to-
Junction with Bentley Canal (No. l0m1)

-

1
Termination of Canal at Reed's Wood, near Bentley

1

3

Walsall Branch Canal (No.10 1).
Birchills Junction, junction with Wyrley and Essington Canal (No. l0q1), to-
Birchills Wharf, and top of Walsall Locks

-

2
Walsall Junction, junction with Walsall Canal (No. l0k1), and bottom of Walsall Locks

-

7

Bentley Canal (No. l0m1)
Wednesfield Junction, junction with Wyrley, and Essington Canal (No. l0q1), to-
Junction with Nechells Branch Canal (No. 10m2), and bottom of Bentley Locks lst flight

-

6
Monmore Green Wharf

1

3
Spring Bank Wharf

1

7
Short Heath, and bottom of Bentley Locks 2nd flight

2

2
Junction with Anson Branch Canal (No.10k7)

3

3

Nechells Branch Canal (No. 10m2).

Length from junction with Bentley Canal (No. l0m1)

-

3

Tame Valley Canal (No. 10n).
Junction with Walsall Canal (No. l0k1) to-
Junction with Danks Branch Canal (No. 10k3)

-

2
Golds Hill Wharf

-

3
Holloway Bank Wharf..

1

0
Newton Junction, junction with Rushall Canal (No. 10 o)

3

4
Hamstead Wharf

4

3
Barr Top Lock Wharf, and top of Perry Barr Locks 1st flight

5

4
Perry Barr Wharf

6

4
Witton Stop, and top of Perry Barr Locks 3rd flight

7

7
Salford Junction, junction with Birmingham and Fazeley Canal (No. l0p1), right and left, and junction with Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal (No.11)..

8

4

Rushall Canal (No.10 o).
Longwood Junction, junction with Daw End Branch of Wyrley and Essington Canal (No. 10q4), and top of Rushall Locks, to-
Bell Wharf

1

4
Newton Junction, junction with Tame Valley Canal (No. 10n)

2

6

Birmingham and Fazeley Canal (No. l0p1).
Farmers Bridge, junction with Main Line (No. l0al), to-
Junction with Newhall Branch Canal (No. 10p2), and top of Farmers Bridge Locks

-

1
Aston Junction, junction with Digbeth Branch (No. 10p3), and top of Aston Locks

1

4
Bloomsbury Wharf

2

2
Salford Junction, junction with Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal (No.11) - right, and junction with Tame Valley Canal (No. 10n) - left

3

2
Erdington Wharf

5

1
Minworth Stop, and top of Minworth Locks

6

2
Minworth Wharf.

7

3
Griffiths Dock Wharf

7

6
Dunton Wharf, between 1st and 2nd Locks, Curdworth

9

4
Bodymoor Heath Wharf

11

3
Curdworth Stop, bottom of Curdworth Locks

12

1
Fazeley Junction, junction with Coventry Canal (No.24)

15 

 0
Hopwas

17

6
Whittington Brook, junction with Coventry Canal detached portion (No.24)

20

4

Newhall Branch (No. 10p2).
Length from junction with Birmingham and Fazeley Canal (No. l0p1)

-

2

Digbeth Branch Canal (No. 10p3).
Aston Junction, junction with Birmingham and Fazeley Canal (No. l0p1), to -
Junction with Warwick and Birmingham Canal (No.115)

-

6
Bordesley Basin

- 

 7

Wyrley and Essington Canal (No. l0q1).
Horseley Fields Junction, junction with Main Line (No. l0al), to -
Heath Town Wharf 7
Wednesfield Junction, junction with Bentley Canal (No. l0m1)

1

2
Wednesfield Wharf

1

6
Devil's Elbow Wharf

2

5
Olinthus Wharf

3

1
Short Heath Wharf

4

7
Sneyd Junction, junction with Sneyd and Wyrley Bank Branch Canal (No. 10q2).

6

2
Birchills Junction, junction with Walsall Branch Canal (No.10 1)

8

0
Harding's Wharf

9

2
Goscote Wharf

10

3
Teece's Bridge Wharf

11

2
Junction with Lord Hay's Branch Canal (No. 10q3), near Little Bloxwich

11

7
Pelsall Junction, junction with Cannock Extension Canal (No. l0r).

12

7
Highbridge Wharf

14

1
Catshill Junction, junction with Daw End Branch Canal (No. 10q4)

15

3
Junction with Anglesey Branch (No. 10q5), and top of Ogley Locks

16

3
Redcap Wharf

18

0
Danks Wharf

18

4
Pipe Hill

19

0
Lichfield Basin Wharf

21

1
Twenty-fourth Lock Wharf

21

5
Paper Mill Wharf

22

2
Huddlesford Junction, junction with Coventry Canal - detached portion (No.24)

23

4

Sneyd and Wyrley Bank Branch Canal (No. 10q2).
Sneyd Junction, junction with Wyrley and Essington Canal (No. l0q1), to -
Junction with Old Essington Locks line of canal, now abandoned

-

 7
Broad Lane Wharf

1

 2
Landywood Wharf

2

 6
Wyrley Wharf

3

 4

Lord Hay's Branch Canal (No. 10q3).
Length from junction with Wyrley and Essington Canal (No. l0qi) to -
Newtown Wharf..

-

7

Daw End Branch Canal (No. l0q4).
Catshill Junction, junction with Wyrley and Essington Canal (No. l0q1), to -
Clayhanger Wharf

-

 1
Black Cock Wharf

-

6
Aldridge Wharf

2

4
Daw End Wharf

4

0
Longwood Junction and Wharf, junction with Rushall Canal (No.10 o)

5

2

Anglesey Branch Canal (No. 10q5).
Junction with Wyrley and Essington Canal (No. l0q1) to -
Burntwood Road Wharf

1

1
Anglesey Wharf, and eastern end of Cannock Chase Reservoir

1

4

Cannock Extension Canal (No. l0r).
Pelsall Junction, junction with Wyrley and Essington Canal (No. l0q1), to -
Wyrley Grove Wharf

-

5
Norton Common Wharf

1

 5
Norton Basin

2

0
Norton Green Wharf

2

5
Silvester Wharf

3

2
Rumour Hill Junction, junction with Church-bridge Branch Canal (No. l0s)

4

1
Leacroft Wharf

4

5
Hednesford Basins

5

6

Churchbridge Branch Canal (No. l0s).
Rumour Hill Junction, junction with Cannock Extension Canal (No. l0r), and top of Churchbridge Locks, to-
Churchbridge Junction, junction with Hatherton Branch Canal of Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal (No. 95c), Churchbridge Wharf, and bottom of Churchbridge Locks

-

5
 

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Rod Beavon  17 Dean's Yard  London  SW1P 3PB

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