Canals in and around West Midlands - enjoy them!

The West Midlands is at the heart of Britain’s canal network. With hundreds of miles of canals to explore, it’s easy to see why so take our feature and enjoy!


Be happier! Be heathier! Be by the water!

Whether you walk, run, bike or simply sit back and relax by the canal, the more time you spend by water the happier and healthier you feel.   

Photography by Kev Maslin

Photography by Karl Newton

 

Suggested canal locations to go and experience In Birmingham - enjoy!

There are so many locations along the canal network in and around Birmingham to enjoy.  It may be to experience what it would have been like in days gone by, to make use of the facilities on the canal or to simply take in all that the great outdoors has to offer.

Here's some suggested locations that we have mapped and featured for your enjoyment.

 

In and around the City

 

Gas Street Basin - where new meets old! - see map.

The Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline ends at the start of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Gas Street Basin. This was where the Worcester Bar was. Also near here was Old Wharf, where the canal used to continue on what is now the site of Arena Central. Venues here include The Canal House, Canalside Bar and the Tap & Spile. There is also Regency Wharf.

Photography by Hayley Jenkins-Jones

 

Old Turn Junction

At Old Turn Junction, it is where the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline joins onto the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. When in fact it was the Newhall Branch as far as Cambrian Wharf (Farmers Bridge Locks). Near this junction is the Utilita Arena Birmingham, The Malt House and National Sealife Centre.

Photography by Hayley Jenkins-Jones 

At this location, there is so much to explore and enjoy.  There is Brindleyplace, the Sea-Life Centre, numerous bars, restaurants and cafes, the amazing Ikon Gallery and, not to be missed, the Birmingham Roundhouse

Photography by Hayley Jenkins-Jones

 

Soho Loop - BCN Old Mainline

The Soho Loop was part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Old Mainline in the Winson Green area of the city. It goes between Rotton Park Junction and Winson Green Junction, connecting to the straighter Birmingham Canal Navigations New Mainline.

Soho LoopPhotography by Elliott Brown

 

Selly Oak Winding Hole at the Worcester & Birmingham Canal

Located near Sainsbury's, Unite Student accommodation and the Selly Oak Shopping Centre, at the Bristol Road in Selly Oak is the new Winding Hole. Built for the Lapal Canal Trust during 2022 at the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. There is also a new footbridge that crosses over the canal, and a path that goes under the railway viaduct to the Bristol Road near Bournbrook.

Selly Oak Winding HolePhotography by Elliott Brown

 

Kings Norton Junction

At Kings Norton Junction, this is where the Worcester & Birmingham Canal meets the Stratford-on-Avon Canal (also called Stratford-upon-Avon Canal). The Kings Norton Junction House is nearby (currently under restoration following a fire). There is walks towards Kings Heath and Yardley Wood in one direction, or towards Stirchley and Bournville in the other direction.

Kings Norton JunctionPhotography by Elliott Brown

 

Venturing out of the city

Let's now venture out of the city and see what delights can be found along our vast network of canals. 

 

Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline - Dudley Port to Sandwell & Dudley

If you get the train from Birmingham New Street to Dudley Port, nearby is the Ryland Aqueduct on the BCN Mainline. Walk as far as you want, the line runs parallel with the Birmingham to Wolverhampton railway line. At one point the canal and railway switches sides. Get off in Sandwell, at either the Albion Bridge or Bromford Bridge, and walk to Sandwell & Dudley Station.

BCN New MainlinePhotography by Elliott Brown

 

Bumble Hole

Bumble Hole and Warrens Hall Nature Reserve is a stunning location for a leisurely walk to take in some of the amazing history associated with the canals and enjoy the area's bustling wildlife. 

Photography by Daniel Sturley.

 

Tame Valley Canal

Get the train to Tame Bridge Parkway in Sandwell, to start a walk of the Tame Valley Canal. Once up there you cross over the Grand Junction Aqueduct  (crossing the Birmingham to Walsall railway line) and cross another aqueduct near the M5 and M6 motorways. You can continue walking towards Great Barr. On other walks you can do the section in Perry Barr, or go under Spaghetti Junction in Aston.

Tame Valley CanalPhotography by Elliott Brown

 

Walsall Canal

You can start a walk on the Walsall Canal from the Walsall Town Basin near New Art Gallery Walsall, and walk as far as the James Bridge Aqueduct. This gets you past the M6 motorway.

Walsall CanalPhotography by Elliott Brown

 

About the charity Canal & River Trust

The charity, Canal & River Trust, together with dedicated volunteers, do a wonderful job in protecting our canals for everyone to enjoy.

Photography by Damien Walmsley

Photography by Chris Fletcher

This feature is shared with our community and there some great contributions from volunteers and from people who love Birmingham's canals in and around the City.

Photography by Kev Maslin

Go and experience our canals and the great outdoors right on the cities doorstep!

 

Project dates

03 Apr 2017 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Environment & green action, Rivers, lakes & canals
Green travel

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com

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Art; Culture & creativity
07 Feb 2024 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Annatomix wildlife street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside below the HS2, Curzon No 3 Viaduct site

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In the summer of 2023 on the Digbeth Branch Canal between Curzon Street and Curzon Street Tunnel in Eastside, Annatomix was painting wildlife street art for HS2, below where they are building the Curzon No 3 Viaduct. By the autumn it wasn't complete, and as of winter 2023-24, it is now badly tagged by graffiti vandals, so not sure if it will be repaired / repainted or not.

Related

The Annatomix wildlife street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside below the HS2, Curzon No 3 Viaduct site





In the summer of 2023 on the Digbeth Branch Canal between Curzon Street and Curzon Street Tunnel in Eastside, Annatomix was painting wildlife street art for HS2, below where they are building the Curzon No 3 Viaduct. By the autumn it wasn't complete, and as of winter 2023-24, it is now badly tagged by graffiti vandals, so not sure if it will be repaired / repainted or not.


July 2023

Annatomix started painting the commissioned street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside for HS2 in the middle of summer 2023.  This would be where they are building the Curzon No 3 Viaduct.

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20Curzon%20St%20DBC%20HS2%2019072023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20Curzon%20St%20DBC%20HS2%2019072023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

August 2023

Just one update in the late summer, as Annatomix worked away at her art. I walked past towards the Curzon Street Tunnel. Decided to wait a few months to see if it was finished or not.

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DGCE%2022082023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

October 2023

A major update of the Annatomix street art on the Digbeth Branch Canal in the middle of Autumn 2023. It was looking good at the time, but she was having a break at the time for about a month. There was also a message at one end "if you like the art please stop drawing on it".

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

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dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20Eastside%20DBC%2015102023%20(13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

February 2024

In the months since, taggers and graffiti vandals have been drawing / writing all over the street art, and it looked like Annatomix didn't return (health reasons I think). Meanwhile HS2 had put up rusted weathering steel triangular trusses for the Curzon No 3 Viaduct. Am not sure if it is worth her coming back in future to fix / repaint the art here (her other pieces around the city get tagged as well).

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

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dndimg alt="Annatomix" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DBC%2004022024%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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80 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
06 Sep 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Soho Loop Part 2: Asylum Bridge to Winson Green Junction

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On the 31st August 2023, I got the 82 bus to Dudley Road to complete the Soho Loop in Winson Green. Ended up returning via Norman Street Park and rejoining at the Asylum Bridge. Just a short walk to the end of the Soho Loop to Winson Green Junction. That towpath closed on the BCN Mainline to the Winson Green Bridge was open again, it's been tarmaced.

Related

Soho Loop Part 2: Asylum Bridge to Winson Green Junction





On the 31st August 2023, I got the 82 bus to Dudley Road to complete the Soho Loop in Winson Green. Ended up returning via Norman Street Park and rejoining at the Asylum Bridge. Just a short walk to the end of the Soho Loop to Winson Green Junction. That towpath closed on the BCN Mainline to the Winson Green Bridge was open again, it's been tarmaced.


For part 1 follow this link to the post Soho Loop walk on the BCN Old Mainline

From the Costa Coffee at Utilita Arena Birmingham, I walked to the bus stop on Summer Hill Road, waiting for an 87, bus an 82 came first, so caught it up Spring Hill to Dudley Road. Got off and crossed over near City Hospital, then walked up towards Norman Street Park, and got on at the Asylum Bridge, just over a month since I left the Soho Loop in July 2023.

 

The Asylum Bridge

The Asylum Bridge is on the Revolution Walk from the Canal & River Trust.
Nearby was a Madhouse, Badhouse and the Workhouse. The Birmingham Union Workhouse and Infirmary was there from 1834, but by 1889 had space for over 2000 inmates. This is now part of Birmingham City Hospital.
Also here was the Borough Lunatic Asylum and Fever Hospital, from the 19th century. This is now the site of Birmingham Prison.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Soho%20Loop%20BCNOML%2031082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Prison Bridge and Winson Green Bridge (Soho Loop)

The next bridge is the Winson Green Prison Bridge, which you walk over, followed by the Winson Green Bridge (Soho Loop) which you walk under. This is as close as you get to Birmingham Prison, but you hardly notice it walking past.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Soho%20Loop%20BCNOML%2031082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Bridge (Soho Loop)

There is two bridges named Winson Green Bridge. This one is on the Soho Loop of the BCN Old Mainline. The other one is much higher crossing the BCN New Mainline. This is the last road bridge.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Soho%20Loop%20BCNOML%2031082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Railway Bridge

Next up is the Winson Green Railway Bridge. Behind you can see the yet to open Midland Metropolitan Hospital. When it opens in 2024, parts of City Hospital in Winson Green will close, and the site will be developed for housing.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Soho%20Loop%20BCNOML%2031082023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Junction Bridge 

The end of the Soho Loop at Winson Green Junction and you get to the Winson Green Junction Bridge. The bridge is Grade II listed and is a Horseley type cast-iron roving bridge dating to 1828.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Soho%20Loop%20BCNOML%2031082023%20(17).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Roving Bridge

Leaving the Soho Loop at Winson Green Junction, you leave the Old Mainline for the New Mainline. The Winson Green Roving Bridge dates to 1828, and is a Winson Green Roving Bridge is a Horseley type cast-iron roving bridge dating to 1828.

dndimg alt="Winson Green Junction" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BCNML%20Winson%20Green%2031082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winson Green Junction

Since my last visit to the canals here, the towpath between Winson Green Roving Bridge and the Winson Green Bridge (Winson Green Road) has been reopened. Last time it was closed for resurfacing works. The Winson Green Junction Bridge is to the left and the northern end of the Soho Loop.

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View from the Winson Green Bridge

A look from Winson Green Road, on the Winson Green Bridge towards Winson Green Junction. From here, the Soho Loop starts to the right under the Winson Green Junction Bridge, while the BCN New Mainline continues north west towards Wolverhampton under the Winson Green Roving Bridge.

dndimg alt="Soho Loop" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/BCNML%20Winson%20Green%2031082023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Winson Green Road has bus stops for the 11A and 11C. If getting the 11C, it would take you towards Erdington. From the 11A, you can go towards Bearwood, Harborne, Selly Oak, Bournville etc.

You need the Dudley Road for the 82 or 87 bus routes.

 

Photos by Elliott Brown

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90 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
24 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The changing face of the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside

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There is major changes in the area around the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside, Birmingham. Between the Ashted Tunnel south eastern entrance and the Curzon Street Tunnel northern entrance. Birmingham City University built there Eastside campus nearby during the 2010s. Now HS2 is underway and Glasswater Locks too.

Related

The changing face of the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside





There is major changes in the area around the Digbeth Branch Canal in Eastside, Birmingham. Between the Ashted Tunnel south eastern entrance and the Curzon Street Tunnel northern entrance. Birmingham City University built there Eastside campus nearby during the 2010s. Now HS2 is underway and Glasswater Locks too.


Ashted Tunnel south eastern entrance, Ashted Lock's 2 and 3

The February 2011 view from Belmont Row. There was bulrushes growing next to Ashted Lock no  3. The land towards Lawley Middleway, had probably had demolition on it during the 2000s. Nothing would happen there until 2023!

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DGC%20Eastside%20(Feb%202011)%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

By March 2018, on the section towards the Belmont Row Bridge, near Ashted Locks 2 and 3, you could see the completed Birmingham City University buildings, University Locks, Curzon B, and the Curzon Building. The Lock Keepers Cottage was also restored. The towpath entrance / exit to Belmont Row was still open from this side, but still quite narrow. Wide enough for horses and people.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DBC%20Belmont%20Row%20(Mar%202018)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

By September 2019, half of the brick wall on the right had been demolished, with fencing up. Meanwhile, it was before Belmont Row Works got restored, and you could also see the Unite the Union / Eastside Rooms building (later completed in 2020).

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DBC%20Eastside%20(Sep%202019)%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

As of August 2023, Glasswater Locks is under construction between Jennens Road, Lawley Middleway and Penn Street, with the Digbeth Branch Canal on one side. The towpath entrance from the Belmont Row Bridge is closed.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DGC%20Eastside%2022082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Belmont Row Bridge, Ashted Lock's 4 and 5 to Curzon Street Bridge

The view from the Belmont Row Bridge in February 2011. You could clearly see the pool of water to the right of Ashted Lock's 4 and 5. Work on the Curzon Building wouldn't begin to the right until about 2013, two years later. Curzon Street was still visible ahead.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DGC%20Eastside%20(Feb%202011)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The new steps from the Digbeth Branch Canal to Belmont Row and University Locks of Birmingham City University was open by September 2019.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DBC%20Eastside%20(Sep%202019)%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There is a new entrance to the Digbeth Branch Canal from Belmont Row. To the left is student accommodation at University Locks (built 2015-16). To the right is the Curzon Building (built 2013-15), along with Curzon B (built 2016-18), all part of Birmingham City University. Seen during August 2023.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DGC%20Eastside%2022082023%20(2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Curzon Street Bridge, Ashted Bottom Lock to Curzon Street Tunnel northern entrance

This was what the Digbeth Branch Canal looked like between Curzon Street and the Curzon Street Tunnel in February 2011, long before HS2. There used to be a modern towpath exit up the the road near the railway, above the tunnel, this was open as late as 2018.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Curzon%20St%20Tunnel%20(Feb%202011)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

There used to be a circular area with benches, close to Curzon Street, as seen below in April 2017. It could have been used to move horses around in a circle with their rope attached to the narrowboat. Also the towpath exit used to lead to the road above the Curzon Street Tunnel. HS2 had closed this off by 2019 or 2020.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DBC%20Curzon%20St%20(Apr%202017)%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A now impossible shot from September 2018, I went up the towpath to the land above the Curzon Street Tunnel to look at the Birmingham City University buildings beyond Curzon Street. Access up here was still open into 2019, before HS2 eventually hoarded if off. Wasn't much up there, with land fenced off. This was before HS2 demolished the Curzon Gate student accommodation, in the way of the line in 2019.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DGC%20Curzon%20St%20(Sep%202018)%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

By September 2019, the land above the Curzon Street Tunnel had been hoarded off by HS2, although the towpath ramp was still open, it didn't lead anywhere any more, other than above the tunnel.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/DBC%20Eastside%20(Sep%202019)%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

As of August 2023, Annatomix is working on finishing her mural for HS2 on the left, not far from the Ashted Bottom Lock. No longer access to the towpath exit above the tunnel now. But the towpath through the tunnel towards Fazeley Street is still open.

dndimg alt="Digbeth Branch Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Annatomix%20HS2%20DGCE%2022082023.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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70 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
15 Aug 2023 - Elliott Brown
News & Updates

Keep Canals Alive! Narrowboats on the Birmingham Canal Navigations

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On Sunday 13th August 2023, in response to Government plans to cut funding in future to the Canal & River Trust, there was a lot of narrowboats on the Birmingham Canal Navigations in Central Birmingham. From The Mailbox towards Utilita Arena Birmingham and beyond. I just saw them between the Arena, Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin when I was there.

Related

Keep Canals Alive! Narrowboats on the Birmingham Canal Navigations





On Sunday 13th August 2023, in response to Government plans to cut funding in future to the Canal & River Trust, there was a lot of narrowboats on the Birmingham Canal Navigations in Central Birmingham. From The Mailbox towards Utilita Arena Birmingham and beyond. I just saw them between the Arena, Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin when I was there.


The Birmingham Canals in the City Centre have seen a lot of regeneration over the last 30 plus years, on both sides of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline. From Brindleyplace to the National Indoor Arena (now Utilita Arena Birmingham). But in future years, the Government wants to cut the money they give to the Canal & River Trust to keep maintaining the network of canals around the country.

This view from Arena Birmingham South Car Park. National Sealife Birmingham on the left, with Legoland Discovery Centre Birmingham below.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/National%20Sealife%20ABSCP%2013082023%20(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Narrowboats seen between Old Turn Junction and Gas Street Basin on Sunday 13th August 2023.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The Keep Canals Alive Canal & River Trust campaign, the banner on a bridge near The Malt House, from Old Turn Junction, to the left is the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Brindley Cruises narrowboat passing Old Turn Junction and National Sealife Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

More narrowboats heading under the Brewmasters Bridge.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Near the Brewmasters Bridge at Three Brindleyplace, a new venue The Park: Virtual Reality Experience.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A look back to Utilita Arena Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

From Brindleyplace, saw a group of kayakers near The ICC. So I crossed over the Brindleyplace Bridge, then went to the Black Sabbath Bridge.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A narrowboat comes out of the Broad Street Tunnel below the Black Sabbath Bridge near Brindleyplace.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(10).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(11).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(12).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Entering the Broad Street Tunnel / Black Sabbath Bridge, towards Gas Street Basin. More narrowboats coming through.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(13).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Now at Gas Street Basin, the end of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline. Beyond was the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, with more narrowboats waiting.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(14).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(15).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

The other side of the Worcester Bar at Gas Street Basin, more narrowboats on the start of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(16).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(17).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Exiting Gas Street Basin near what was Old Wharf. Another narrowboat moored that day for the Keep Canals Alive campaign for the Canal & River Trust.

dndimg alt="Birmingham Canals narrowboats" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/KCA%20Canal%20River%20Trust%2013082023%20(18).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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70 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
30 Jul 2023 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Soho Loop walk on the BCN Old Mainline

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I was going to get onto the Soho Loop at Winson Green Junction, but on the BCN Mainline near Winson Green Road, towpath was closed, so walked down and got on at Rotton Park Junction. Then a minor diversion at the Soho Wharf development before rejoining at Spring Hill. Stayed on the Soho Loop until the Asylum Bridge (although would have gone further). But exited to Norman Street Park.

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Soho Loop walk on the BCN Old Mainline





I was going to get onto the Soho Loop at Winson Green Junction, but on the BCN Mainline near Winson Green Road, towpath was closed, so walked down and got on at Rotton Park Junction. Then a minor diversion at the Soho Wharf development before rejoining at Spring Hill. Stayed on the Soho Loop until the Asylum Bridge (although would have gone further). But exited to Norman Street Park.


The Soho Loop opened in 1772, and was part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Old Mainline and developed by James Brindley. It became a loop when the straighter Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline, developed by Thomas Telford, opened in 1827. This created two junctions: Rotton Park Junction with the Soho Loop, Icknield Port Loop and the BCN Mainline and Winson Green Junction.

 

This walk was on Sunday 23rd July 2023.

 

Rotton Park Junction

Having caught the 11C bus to Summerfield Park, Winson Green, my plans changed when I found the towpath closed at the Winson Green Bridge, so couldn't walk to Winson Green Junction, so instead walked down the BCN Mainline and crossed the Rotton Park Towpath Bridge a Rotton Park Junction to get onto the Soho Loop. Here the skyline has changed, with The Mercian, The Bank towers 1 & 2 and the Cortland Square development on Broad Street. Icknield Port Loop to the right.

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Rotton Park Railway Bridge

View from the new Soho Wharf Footbridge, is the Rotton Park Railway Bridge at Rotton Park Junction. It carries the Birmingham to Wolverhampton railway line. This photo would have been impossible until the new footbridge had been built.

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Soho Wharf Footbridge

Most of the new Soho Wharf development on the left is now open. Also a new footbridge has opened to Spring Hill Wharf. I did walk a bit beyond, but found the towpath to be closed to Spring Hill, so had to double back, and divert off the Soho Loop and Soho Wharf to Dudley Road and Spring Hill.

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Soho Wharf to Spring Hill

While I did walk a bit of the towpath here, found it to be closed at the Spring Hill Bridge, so had to leave the canal at Soho Wharf over the new footbridge. Street art on the walls to the right.

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Spring Hill Bridge

A look at the Spring Hill Bridge and Soho Wharf. The towpath on this side was closed. Hopefully it wont be too long before they reopen it to the public.

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Spring Hill Pipe Bridge 

Rejoining the Soho Loop at Spring Hill, to walk towards the Black British History is British History sculpture, this was the first bridge back on the canal.

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Towards Crabtree Lane

The Soho Loop from Spring Hill to Crabtree Lane. Passed several cyclists around here. Some parkland on the right.

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Western Road Bridge

The Western Road Bridge carries Crabtree Lane.

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Towards Hockley Port Junction

This long straight section towards Hockley Port Junction. Lots of trees here, feels very rural.

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Soho Branch at Hockley Port Junction

The next bridge crosses over at Hockley Port Junction which leads to the Soho Branch and Hockley Port. Private, the gate looked locked, but could see narrowboats down there.

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Curving round City Hospital

A curved section, City Hospital is on the left (behind the trees). Then had to walk past lots of fishermen!

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The Wildlife Trusts Birmingham & Black Country

Still passing the fishermen, on the left was The Wildlife Trusts Birmingham & Black Country, part of the Centre of the Earth. Was a boat moored called 'London Poly Roger'.

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Black British History is British History

The reason for this Soho Loop walk was to find this steel sculpture by Luke Perry called 'Black British History is British History'. It was unveiled in 2023. Was also designed by artist Canaan Brown.

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Asylum Bridge

A look at the Asylum Bridge. Originally I would have walked past it, but I went up onto it to see if it was open (Google Maps said it was closed, I later tried to get Google Maps to change it). Anyway I ended up exiting the Soho Loop here into Norman Street Park.

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Winson Green Bridge

The view from the Asylum Bridge to the Winson Green Bridge. Was so close to the end of the Soho Loop. That bridge ahead carries another section of Winson Green Road. So will need to go back in future to complete the section to Winson Green Junction.

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Norman Street Park

There was an Asylum Bridge steel sculpture near the bridge in Norman Street Park. Also this gateway, and a street art wall. Ended up leaving here for the 11A bus stop on Aberdeen Street (not far from City Hospital).

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Nearby bus routes include the 11A, 11C, 82 and 87.

Appears to be in walking distance of Jewellery Quarter Station (trains) or Winson Green Outer Circle Tram Stop or Soho Benson Road Tram Stop (trams).

 

Photos by Elliott Brown

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80 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
17 Nov 2022 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Selly Oak Winding Hole 2022 update

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The Winding Hole in Selly Oak, near the Bristol Road was built and completed during 2022. At the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, the restoration of the Lapal Canal (Dudley No. 2 Canal) at Selly Oak Junction, which some day in the future will be restored to Halesowen. Until then, the area where narrowboats can turn onto this to be restored canal is now finished. Boats even moor there.

Related

Selly Oak Winding Hole 2022 update





The Winding Hole in Selly Oak, near the Bristol Road was built and completed during 2022. At the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, the restoration of the Lapal Canal (Dudley No. 2 Canal) at Selly Oak Junction, which some day in the future will be restored to Halesowen. Until then, the area where narrowboats can turn onto this to be restored canal is now finished. Boats even moor there.


Previous post from May 2021: Selly Oak Winding Hole until 2021.

 

During 2022, the Lapal Canal Trust worked to have the Winding Hole built. work was well underway in spring 2022, and was open by autumn 2022. In the future, they will need to dig out the canal under Sainsbury's and next to Selly Oak Shopping Park, towards Harborne Lane and through Selly Oak Park towards Weoley Castle. But that is a long way off for now.

The area, also called Whitehouse Wharf was open on the 25th September 2022 to boats.

 

May 2021

View from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, the towpath near an entrance to Selly Oak Shopping Park, as a Cross Country Trains Class 170 passes over the railway. The future Winding Hole site is to the right of here. Seen on the 29th May 2021.

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August 2021

Views from the passing train on the Cross City Line. There was still grass on the Winding Hole site at the time. View towards the Unite student accommodation with Sainsbury's behind it, on the 15th August 2021.

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January 2022

Early signs that they will soon be digging out the Winding Hole for the Lapal Canal Trust. Seen from the Worcester & Birmingham Canal towpath near the Unite student accommodation on the 8th January 2022.

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May 2022

By the spring of 2022, work was well underway to dig the grass and soil out of the Winding Hole site, as they secured the site so water didn't get in. Seen from the footbridge that will one day be the entrance to the Lapal Canal (under Sainsbury's) on the 21st May 2022.

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October 2022

By the autumn of 2022, the Selly Oak Winding Hole was complete, as can be seen from the footbridge and canal towpath. There was even a boat and narrowboat moored at it on the 2nd October 2022.

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A couple of weekends later, on the 16th October 2022, this time I got the Selly Oak Winding Hole from the pocket park on the other side of the canal, heading for the Selly Oak Shopping Park via the footbridge that opened in 2021. Two narrowboats moored here this time.

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November 2022

I got the train one way from Birmingham New Street to Selly Oak, on the 6th November 2022. Leaving via Bristol Road, it was raining, and saw this view to the Winding Hole. Much more pleasant to see than what it used to look like in the past.

dndimg alt="Selly Oak Winding Hole" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Selly%20Oak%20Winding%20Hole%2006112022.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photography by Elliott Brown

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60 passion points
Green travel
17 Aug 2021 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

Children with guides kayaking up the BCN Mainline - 11th August 2021

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I was walking past Gas Street Basin, when I saw a couple of kayaks full of children and their guides. They went through the Broad Street Tunnel, then up past Brindleyplace and the Brewmasters House towards Utilita Arena Birmingham. They were probably heading for Icknield Port Loop (according to Civic Square on Twitter). I left at Oozells Street Loop. Click View article for five photos.

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Children with guides kayaking up the BCN Mainline - 11th August 2021





I was walking past Gas Street Basin, when I saw a couple of kayaks full of children and their guides. They went through the Broad Street Tunnel, then up past Brindleyplace and the Brewmasters House towards Utilita Arena Birmingham. They were probably heading for Icknield Port Loop (according to Civic Square on Twitter). I left at Oozells Street Loop. Click View article for five photos.


Kayaking from Gas Street Basin to Icknield Port Loop

Starting this brief canal walk from The Mailbox, on the 11th August 2021, I walked up to the end of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Worcester Bar, Gas Street Basin. On the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline side, I saw a couple of kayaks attached together, with a guide and several children in both of them.

The kayaks at the back near Gas Street Basin, heading into the Broad Street Tunnel.

dndimg alt="Canoeing BCN Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canoes BCN Mline (Aug 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It was now apparent that there was two pairs attached to kayaks. The first one I saw was going through the Broad Street Tunnel, while the second was was metres behind.

dndimg alt="Canoeing BCN Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canoes BCN Mline (Aug 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A Just Eat delivery man in orange on his bike. The pair of kayaks, children and their guides. It was time to duck as I walked under the tunnel.

dndimg alt="Canoeing BCN Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canoes BCN Mline (Aug 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View from the Broad Street Tunnel (where the head room was a bit higher at the Brindleyplace end). Both sets of kayaks were heading under the Brindleyplace and Brewmasters Bridges. With Utilita Arena Birmingham, The Malt House and the Brewmasters House nearby. Oh and the red Water Bus on the left was about to depart.

dndimg alt="Canoeing BCN Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canoes BCN Mline (Aug 2021) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One last view as they headed under the Brewmasters Bridge, past The ICC Energy Centre. I would leave the Main Line via the Oozells Street Loop, heading to Brindleyplace. I assume that they were heading for the Roundhouse.

dndimg alt="Canoeing BCN Mainline" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canoes BCN Mline (Aug 2021) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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80 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
12 Aug 2021 - Daniel Sturley
Inspiration

A Short Walk along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal Between Newhall and Livery Street

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One of the most interesting stretches of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal can be found in the City Centre between the Newhall Street Bridge and the Livery Street Rail Bridge, unless you are somewhat claustrophobic! Mind your head and enjoy a great urbanscape away from the bustle of the Jewellery Quarter.

A gallery of photos along this route on 27th July is in the full article.

Related

A Short Walk along the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal Between Newhall and Livery Street





One of the most interesting stretches of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal can be found in the City Centre between the Newhall Street Bridge and the Livery Street Rail Bridge, unless you are somewhat claustrophobic! Mind your head and enjoy a great urbanscape away from the bustle of the Jewellery Quarter.

A gallery of photos along this route on 27th July is in the full article.


Starting at the Newhall Street Bridge and tunnel and heading east will take you down to where the canal passes under Brindley House. From here you eventually reach the tiny tunnel under the Livery Street Road Bridge and immediately into the cavernous Livery Street Rail Bridge Tunnel. A spiral staircase will take you back up onto Livery Street.

To start the trail, take the steps down from Newhall Street to the canal towpath. Alternatively join the canal from Fleet Street by crossing the bridge opposite the Michell's and Butler building. 

 

Looking down the tunnel under the Newhall Street Bridge.

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Looking back the other way (west).

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Here's the canal as you emerge underneath Brindley House.

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Here we look back at the tunnel under Ludgate Hill.

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This is the much smaller Livery Street Road tunnel which sits directly alongside the cavernous rail tunnel.

dndimg dndsrc="https://www.yourplaceyourspace.net/uploadedfiles/IMG_2276b_CANL.jpg" />

 

Here we looki back from the Liver Street road tunnel.

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Now we emerge into the massive rail tunnel.

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Here there is a spiral staircase up to Livery Street.

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Photography by Daniel Sturley.

We hope you enjoyed this trail created with the help of our great Birmingham community. 

Go HERE to see other trails and maps you may enjoy. 

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70 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
04 May 2021 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

Selly Oak Junction - a decades development of the Winding Hole site of the Lapal Canal

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A new public space has recently opened near the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Selly Oak, at the Bristol Road. The site of the Winding Hole of the Lapal Canal restoration project (Dudley No. 2 Canal). When the new Selly Oak Shopping Park opened in late 2018, work started near the railway to build a new footbridge and area the public could enter. Historically the site of lime kilns.

Related

Selly Oak Junction - a decades development of the Winding Hole site of the Lapal Canal





A new public space has recently opened near the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Selly Oak, at the Bristol Road. The site of the Winding Hole of the Lapal Canal restoration project (Dudley No. 2 Canal). When the new Selly Oak Shopping Park opened in late 2018, work started near the railway to build a new footbridge and area the public could enter. Historically the site of lime kilns.


December 2009

A couple of days before Christmas Eve 2009, I headed to Selly Oak with my then bridge camera. Caught the Worcester & Birmingham Canal from the Bristol Road for the first time. Snow and ice on the water. To the left is the Battery Park site (later to be developed into Selly Oak Shopping Park). On the right was the former site of the Winding Hole of the Lapal Canal. This was Selly Oak Junction. Dudley No. 2 Canal used to join here, and would head to the left of this point.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Dec 2009) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Birmingham Super Hospital (later to be named Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham) and the Selly Oak Bypass were under construction at the time. The hospital would open in 2010, and the bypass in 2011 (under the name of Aston Webb Boulevard). On the other side of the Bristol Road is Selly Oak Station.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Dec 2009) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

June 2011

Next to the Selly Oak Railway Bridge of 1931 on the Bristol Road, there also used to be this brick viaduct next to the existing Cross City Line. It was probably built in the 1870s, which resulted in two of the lime kilns that used to be on this site being levelled.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Viaduct Bristol Rd (Jun 2011) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

For many years, the area to the left was overgrown with trees or shrubs. Clearance of the land began in 2012, and the unused viaduct was demolished by 2015.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Viaduct Bristol Rd (Jun 2011) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

February 2013

A walk along the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Selly Oak towards the Ariel Aqueduct and University of Birmingham.

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At the Bristol Road / Winding Hole site of the Lapal Canal, you could at the time see some land clearance, and the old graffitied buildings remaining. The brick viaduct was still there. This view to the Selly Oak Railway Bridge of 1931.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Feb 2013) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The original winding hole of the Lapal Canal, used to be around here. Two more years and the abandoned brick viaduct would be demolished.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Feb 2013) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Up ahead, a sign on the wall for www.lapal.org. The current website is www.lapalcanal.co.uk

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Feb 2013) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Not sure of the age of these derelict buildings, but they were all covered in graffiti and had broken windows.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Feb 2013) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some of them had metal walls and roofs.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Feb 2013) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

These two would be demolished in the following years to come.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Feb 2013) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Cross City Line was behind, as well as the Selly Oak Electricity Substation building (near the Bournbrook Skate Park).

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Feb 2013) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

May 2015

The brick viaduct of the 1870s was demolished by 2015, and the hole site was cleared.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Winding Hole SO (May 2015) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

You can now see the Cross City Line viaduct from the Bristol Road in Selly Oak for the first time in years.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Winding Hole SO (May 2015) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

All the overgrowth was cut down, the derelict buildings demolished, as well as the removal of the unused viaduct.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Winding Hole SO (May 2015) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

June to October 2018

Construction of the new Selly Oak Shopping Park began in the autumn of 2017, and would be completed a year later in the autumn of 2018. This would include a new Sainsbury's store, as well as a Unite Students accommodation block. In June 2018, I saw this temporary builders footbridge crossing the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, from the Winding Hole site to the Shopping Park site.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Jun 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another look, but this time from the no 61 bus (top deck) on the Bristol Road, during October 2018. In a matter of weeks, the new Selly Oak Shopping Park and Sainsbury's would open to the public for the first time. A more permanent footbridge would be built at this site in 2020. And there would also be a new canal entrance built from the Bristol Road in 2019 as well.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Oct 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

August to October 2019

A new entrance and footbridge being built near the Bristol Road, Sainsbury's and Unite Students accommodation. Seen here during August 2019. Before then, you had to walk the long way around to the Selly Oak Shopping Park to Aston Webb Boulevard.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Aug 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The new bridge would also be above the future tunnel of the Lapal Canal that would go under the new Sainsbury's in Selly Oak.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Aug 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A visit to the Selly Oak Shopping Park during October 2019. The temporary footbridge from 2018 is gone.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Oct 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The new footbridge over the entrance to the Lapal Canal was now open, and fully landscaped around the Unite Students accommodation. Winding Hole site on the far right all behind hoardings.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Oct 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One day in the future, those who built and restore the Lapal Canal will have to dig up the surface below this new footbridge.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Oct 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This is now a quick and easy route from the Bristol Road and Selly Oak Station to get to the Selly Oak Shopping Park. And more safer than the old canal entrance from Selly Oak (down The Dingle near a 2nd hand car showroom).

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Oct 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

January to October 2020

First year of the pandemic. In January 2020 I went to Selly Oak to go into the new Sainsbury's. While there got these views. This area near the new footbridge at Bristol Road, next to the old bridge over the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Jan 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A West Midlands Railway Class 323 train on the Cross City Line, as work was under way at the Winding Hole site of the Lapal Canal.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Jan 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Blue hoardings on the left, as during 2020, the new permanent footbridge would be built at the site. Seems like plenty of activity at the time on the other side of the canal.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Jan 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Views from the no 63 bus on the Bristol Road in Selly Oak, taken during February 2020. The footbridge over the start of the Lapal Canal near Sainsbury's at the Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Feb 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This would be the last time I would pass the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Selly Oak before the first lockdown started about a month later. You can see the route of the Lapal Canal, that it will go in the future (after restoration). Part of the existing towpath would have to go, and people would have to cross over the footbridge.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Feb 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

After the first lockdown, restrictions were being eased by summer 2020. During August 2020, I walked a section of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, and saw the new footbridge under construction from the Selly Oak Shopping Park, to the Winding Hole site to the right.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Aug 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Both sides had ramps and steps that the builders were installing here. The original pipe bridge and railway bridge were still behind.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Aug 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The new ramps and steps on the Winding Hole side of the canal.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Aug 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Saw a West Midlands Railway Class 170 train passing in orange and white. These trains are now in purple, before they are transferred onto East Midlands Railway.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Aug 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The ramps and steps on the side of the canal near the Selly Oak Shopping Park.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Aug 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

General canal view of the new footbridge as of August 2020.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Aug 2020) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

One more view of the new footbridge during October 2020, days before the 2nd lockdown began. This was from a Stirchley to Selly Oak canal walk that I did at the time. Wouldn't be back here again under after the 3rd lockdown restrictions were being eased during Spring 2021.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Oct 2020).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

April 2021

The third lockdown from January 2021, meant I couldn't travel back to Selly Oak on public transport until April 2021. Got the train down to Bournville and walked up via Linden Road and Oak Tree Lane on the 24th April 2021. Walked down the Bristol Road, and got this view of the area as it is now. What a transformation!

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It was completed in either late 2020 or early 2021. The grass on the right is where the winding hole of the Lapal Canal will be (once restored). But they will have to dig that all out.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Metal fence along the Bristol Road, as I headed down to the entrance.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There is bollards close to where the old viaduct used to end, until it was demolished more than 6 years ago.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This is the first time I think the area has been opened up to the public. From 1842 until 2000 it was the site to Goodman's, a successful builders merchant.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The area was also known as Whitehouse's Wharf. Selly Oak Junction opened here in 1798. The canal basin on this site was filled in during the 1940s. Sign in the middle all about the history and of the lime kilns that used to be here.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading to the footbridge, the ramps on the right, steps on the left.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Before going onto the ramps, saw this Cross Country Voyager train heading south over the Cross City Line viaduct bridges.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I went up half of the ramps, before going up the rest of the way up the steps.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The view from the top of the ramps. Hard to believe what a mess this site was a decade ago.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Crossing the footbridge to the Selly Oak Shopping Park. Sainsbury's on the left.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View from the footbridge, look how nice, clean and tidy the area is now. More work of course in the future for the Lapal Canal restoration. Will take a long time to reach Dudley again.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (12).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

After a drink at Costa Coffee (sat on a bench outside of Sainsbury's). I headed back to the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, to get a train back to Birmingham New Street from Selly Oak.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (13).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

View of the winding hole site. Looks nice with the grass, but that will have to go when they dig down to restore it in the future.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (14).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One last look, before crossing Bristol Road, to get my train back to the City Centre. People with bikes can cycle all the way from here if they want to.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/WB Canal Bristol Rd (Apr 2021) (15).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. Can be found on Twitter: ellrbrown

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60 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
01 Dec 2020 - Elliott Brown
Did you know?

Broad Street Tunnel under the Black Sabbath Bridge

Post image

Near the end of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline is the Broad Street Tunnel, between Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin. In 2019, the bridge above it was renamed as the Black Sabbath Bridge in honour of the famous metal group who had been rocking for 50 years.

Related

Broad Street Tunnel under the Black Sabbath Bridge





Near the end of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline is the Broad Street Tunnel, between Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin. In 2019, the bridge above it was renamed as the Black Sabbath Bridge in honour of the famous metal group who had been rocking for 50 years.


Broad Street Tunnel

The Broad Street Tunnel is located on the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline between Brindleyplace and Gas Street Basin. Above it (from 2019) is the renamed Black Sabbath Bridge. Bars over the Gas Street Basin end include the Australian Bar Walkabout and the Indian O Bar. The BCN Main Line was built during the early 1770s with the canal engineer James Brindley. The canal reached Old Wharf through the tunnel by 1773. This was originally the Paradise Street Branch which left what is now Old Turn Junction towards Paradise Street. Today the canal ends at Gas Street Basin, and beyond what was Old Wharf is all filled in (the Arena Central development site).

At the side of the tunnel near Brindleyplace and The ICC, used to be a church, called the Church of the Messiah, this existed from the 1860s (when it was built above the tunnel), but was demolished in 1978.

In 2019 (for about 3 months), the tunnel was closed to allow the Midland Metro Alliance to strengthen the road above to enable the laying of tram tracks between Centenary Square and Hagley Road (just beyond Five Ways). After these works were complete, the bridge above the tunnel was renamed the Black Sabbath Bridge. Where the Black Sabbath Bench was placed (it has now gone into storage due to the Metro extension works). Instead there is temporary hoardings with images of the four members of Black Sabbath, so that fans can take selfies with them (Geezer, Ozzy, Tony and Bill).

2009

The Broad Street Tunnel seen from Gas Street Basin during June 2009. From the footbridge at the Worcester Bar. Today there is bars on all three sides including, the Tap & Spile, O Bar and Walkabout.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gas Street Basin Broad Street Tunnel (June 2009) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Narrowboats taking people through the tunnel below The O Bar.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gas Street Basin Broad Street Tunnel (June 2009) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

On top of the Broad Street Tunnel during December 2009, with The O Bar and Walkabout on Broad Street. The O Bar is at the corner with Gas Street and is a Grade II listed building at 266 and 266X Broad Street. Build in 1875 of red brick and some stone by Martin & Chamberlain. Also at 2 Gas Street.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Bridge (Dec 2009) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Next door to the left is Walkabout, The Australian Bar, which is in a Grade II listed building at 266A and 267 Broad Street. Built in 1860 of red brick with coloured tiles in Venetian Gothic Style.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Bridge (Dec 2009) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2010

Heading through the Broad Street Tunnel during June 2010. Beware of the low headroom and the width of the tunnel varies. Towpaths on both sides.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gas Street Basin Broad Street Tunnel (June 2010) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the end of the tunnel, getting close to Brindleyplace (to the left) and The ICC and Symphony Hall (to the right).

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gas Street Basin Broad Street Tunnel (June 2010) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

From the other side of the Broad Street Tunnel. There is steps on the left up to Broad Street. That demolished church used to be located up above around this spot until the late '70s.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (June 2010) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Through those bars on Broad Street used to be a good view of The NIA. There was also Ozzy Osbourne's Broad Street Walk of Fame star up there.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (June 2010) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2017

In August 2017 heading over the Broad Street Bridge on the bus. Early stages of roadworks for the Midland Metro extension on Broad Street. The Crown / Reflex 80s Bar on the left, Walkabout on the right.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MM ext Broad Street Bridge (Aug 2017).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

By December 2017, cars were having to turn right onto Gas Street, as construction of the first Westside Metro extension to Centenary Square was underway. Ony buses and taxies were allowed beyond this point.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MM ext Broad Street Bridge (Dec 2017).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

By November 2018 I was aware that the tunnel was due to be closed from January 2019 for 3 months, so got some photos before the closure.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gas Street Basin Broad Street Tunnel (Nov 2018).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

As usual, had to duck as I walked through the tunnel.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Nov 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

If you stay on the towpath on this side, you walk around past Regency Wharf towards what was Old Wharf at Bridge Street. A couple of months later the tunnel would be closed for the Midland Metro Alliance works.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Nov 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2019

On the Broad Street Bridge, above the tunnel in January 2019. By this point the tunnel below was closed. And was a lot of restrictions in place at road level as well. All of this for the Midland Metro Alliance works.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MM ext Broad Street Bridge (Jan 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From January 2019 the Broad Street Tunnel was closed for a period of about 3 months. This view from Brindleyplace towards Walkabout and O Bar.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Jan 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From the footbridge at Gas Street Basin, you could see that the towpath on both sides were closed.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Jan 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Scaffolding had been placed over the towpaths and the canal.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Jan 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The barriers, scaffolding and the signs made for some nice reflections at the time.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Jan 2019) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There was also a line of yellow buoys in the canal. No boats could come this way for three months. Would be a long winter diversion.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Jan 2019) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Later in January 2019 for another look from Gas Street Basin. Now was some white sheets over the scaffolding.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Jan 2019) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another look in early March 2019. The Broad Street Tunnel was still closed. View from the Brewmasters Bridge over the Brindleyplace Bridge.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (March 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Near the end of March 2019, the tunnel was open again for the first time in 3 months.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (March 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Saw a narrowboat go through for the first time since the end of 2018.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (March 2019) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

First this narrowboat was going through the tunnel, followed by the Waterbus.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel narrowboat (March 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From the Gas Street Basin end, caught the red Waterbus from Sherborne Wharf heading through the tunnel.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gas Street Basin Broad Street Tunnel (March 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hard to believe that the tunnel had been closed for three months. Was nice to see boats going through it again.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gas Street Basin Broad Street Tunnel (March 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Black Sabbath Bench seen during July 2019 on top of the Black Sabbath Bridge. Which is above the Broad Street Tunnel. It was later removed in October 2019 for the Metro extension works to take place up here.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath Bench" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Black Sabbath Bench Broad Street (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Back in August 2019, I saw this red narrowboat coming out of the Broad Street Tunnel. Was raining at the time.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel narrowboat (Aug 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It was steaming away as I crossed over the Brindleyplace Footbridge.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel narrowboat (Aug 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From this September 2019 view (below), you could see that the bridge above the Broad Street Tunnel was now called the Black Sabbath Bridge. This was renamed over the summer of 2019. Tony Iommi and Geezer Butler came to Birmingham in June 2019 to unveil the Black Sabbath Bench and rename the bridge above the canal tunnel.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Black Sabbath Bridge Broad Street Tunnel (Sept 2019) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Black Sabbath Bench was in place on the Black Sabbath Bench, above the Broad Street Tunnel.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Black Sabbath Bridge Broad Street Tunnel (Sept 2019) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Around October 2019 on the Black Sabbath Bridge, the Black Sabbath Bench had been removed to storage, as the Midland Metro Alliance prepared to build the next extension towards Five Ways.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Black Sabbath Bridge (Oct 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Also in October 2019, I caught this tourist narrowboat emerging from the Broad Street Tunnel to Gas Street Basin. Was another Sherborne Wharf narrowboat called Bosworth Lady.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gas Street Basin (Oct 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 During December 2019, a view of Black Sabbath Selfie with images of the four rockers, Geezer, Ozzy, Tony and Bill.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Black Sabbath Bridge (Dec 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2020

The Black Sabbath Bridge seen during February 2020. My last shot of the Broad Street Tunnel before the lockdown.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Black Sabbath Bridge Broad Street Tunnel (Feb 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It wouldn't be until July 2020 (due to months of the lockdown), before I would see the Black Sabbath Selfie hoardings again on Broad Street. This was the first time in about 4 months that I'd seen it again.

dndimg alt="Black Sabbath Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Black Sabbath Bridge (Jul 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A lot of progress had taken place during lockdown to lay tracks along Broad Street, and that included above the Black Sabbath Bridge. At certain points is crossings with gates, but this changes from time to time. Expect trams to cross over here by the end of 2021.

dndimg alt="Westside metro extension" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/MM ext Broad Street Bridge (Jul 2020).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

At the beginning of August 2020, I followed the Victoria 2012 narrowboat from the Salvage Turn Bridge near The Cube and The Mailbox, towards the Brindleyplace Footbridge. Families once again getting trips on the canal like this.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel narrowboat (Aug 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Close to the end of August 2020, I got some more shots of the Broad Street Tunnel. Starting from Gas Street Basin. Much quieter due to the pandemic, even with lockdown restrictions eased.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Aug 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Hardly anyone in the tunnel, at least until I had to wait for some people to walk past me, due to social distancing.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Aug 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

As usual, had to duck my head as I walked through both sections of the tunnel.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Aug 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Before heading to Brindleyplace, one last look at the Broad Street Tunnel. With the Black Sabbath Bridge above. Still the Black Sabbath Selfie hoardings on Broad Street for the time being. A lot of the tracks have been laid above.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel (Aug 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One more view days before the end of August 2020. Before heading up the steps to Broad Street. The Brasshouse and Celebrity Restaurant are to the right. The ICC Mall is still closed, so this is one of the routes to Centenary Square you can go.

dndimg alt="Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Broad Street Tunnel Brindleyplace (Aug 2020).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

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50 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
24 Aug 2020 - Elliott Brown
Did you know?

The Edgbaston Tunnel on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal

Post image

The Edgbaston Tunnel is located on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal below Church Road in Edgbaston. It is 105 yards long (or 96 metres long). The tunnel runs parallel with the railway tunnel on the Cross City Line. It takes boats about 2 minutes to get through the tunnel. In 2018, the tunnel was closed for months to allow for the towpath to be widened.

Related

The Edgbaston Tunnel on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal





The Edgbaston Tunnel is located on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal below Church Road in Edgbaston. It is 105 yards long (or 96 metres long). The tunnel runs parallel with the railway tunnel on the Cross City Line. It takes boats about 2 minutes to get through the tunnel. In 2018, the tunnel was closed for months to allow for the towpath to be widened.


Edgbaston Tunnel

The Worcester & Birmingham Canal was constructed between 1792 from the Birmingham end, reaching Worcester by 1815. The canal reached Selly Oak by about 1795, so it is fair to assume that the Edgbaston Tunnel was built sometime between 1792 and 1795. Probably dug out by navvies by picks and shovels. Built of red brick, the Edgbaston Tunnel is 96 metres long (105 yards long). It is well under Church Road. Today the closest exits with steps are on Islington Row Middleway (near Five Ways Station) and at The Vale (University of Birmingham student accommodation).

Running parallel with the canal is what is today the Cross City Line. This railway line was built as the Birmingham West Suburban Railway from 1876 until 1885. The Church Road Tunnel was built next to the Edgbaston Tunnel along with a Church Road Station which opened in 1876, not far from the North East Portal of the Edgbaston Tunnel. The station closed in 1925.

Located close to the South West Portal is Hallfield School and near the North East Portal is Sunrise of Edgbaston. When you are up on Church Road, it is a bit hard to see the canal and railway line from above (the brick wall is too high and there is a lot of tree coverage).

During 2018, the Canal & River Trust closed the tunnel, so that they could widen the towpath. This was completed by about May 2018. And now there is more space for cyclists and walkers alike, even with painted lines and "Slow" signs.

 

2016

First walk through of the Edgbaston Tunnel was during April 2016. I got onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Somerset Road in Edgbaston and walked up the towpath towards Five Ways.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Apr 2016) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Approaching the South West Portal of the Edgbaston Tunnel. To the left is the Cross City Line on the other side of the fence. Above behind all the trees and shrubs is Church Road.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Apr 2016) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Canal & River Trust sign for the Edgbaston Tunnel at the South West Portal. At the time it has space for two way traffic.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Apr 2016) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Nearing the South West Portal of the Edgbaston Tunnel. The towpath inside of the tunnel was quite narrow. So not enough room for both walkers and cyclists at the time.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Apr 2016) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This sign states that the Edgbaston Tunnel is 96 Metres in length (which is quite short).

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Apr 2016) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The tunnel was lit up, so when you walk on the towpath, or have a ride on a narrowboat, it is not dark in there.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Apr 2016) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

But as you can see, the old tunnel towpath was really too narrow.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Apr 2016) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Up ahead was a couple of narrowboats that were about to enter the tunnel, as well as a person out for a run on the towpath.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Apr 2016) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Just as one narrowboat entered the tunnel, to the right you can see the site of the lost Church Road Station.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal Edgbaston Tunnel.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Old Georgian and Victorian buildings on Church Road at Hallfield School. The engineering brick on the railway, always seems to get tagged by graffiti vandals. You can also watch passing trains here.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Apr 2016) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2017

The next time I walked through the Edgbaston Tunnel was during November 2017. This walk started from Bath Row and I went as far as The Vale before getting off.

Approaching the North Eastern Portal was this cyclist in an orange jacket.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Nov 2017) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This time I had a better view of the white building above the canal. The building is now occupied by Robert Powell Estate Agents.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Nov 2017) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

While the cyclist in orange was riding into the tunnel, saw a narrowboat with all these flat caps and beanies on. Peaky Blinders?

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Nov 2017) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Before I entered the Edgbaston Tunnel, saw a London Midland Class 323 train on the Cross City Line entering the Church Road Tunnel.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Nov 2017) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

One of the men on the narrowboat was standing on it's roof as it went through the tunnel.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Nov 2017) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Now at the South Eastern Portal of the Edgbaston Tunnel, the gatehouse to Hallfield School is above to the left.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Nov 2017) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Then I saw another London Midland Class 323 entering the tunnel bound for Birmingham New Street and Lichfield Trent Valley.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Nov 2017) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

2018

The Edgbaston Tunnel was closed to the public from January to March 2018, so that the Canal & River Trust could widen the towpath, resurface it, and install a new safety railing. There was towpath diversion at the time from Islington Row Middleway to The Vale. By May 2018 it was open again, and I went back to check it out.

This was during a long walk starting at Selly Oak towards Five Ways, Already could see the new towpath extension and railings from the South West Portal.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (May 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It was mostly complete, but was still some temporary barriers to the left.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (May 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There was a sign for Cyclists Slow as there was a ramp onto the new towpath and it wasn't quite finished.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (May 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Inside I could see that the towpath was much wider, compared to what it used to be like.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (May 2018) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It seems like the tunnel is long, but it isn't, just a trick of the light.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/tunnel elliot.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

At the North East Portal, a cyclist waits at the Cyclists Slow sign.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (May 2018) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Was also a man running through the tunnel, while a builder in yellow and orange overalls was at the other end.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (May 2018) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Went back again in December 2018, after the white lines had been painted onto the towpath, and it had all been fully completed.

A cyclist in a yellow jacket heads towards the North East Portal of the Edgbaston Tunnel.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (May 2018) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another cyclist and on the right was a West Midlands Railway Class 323 train on the Cross City Line (passing the site of Church Road Station).

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (May 2018) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Approaching the Edgbaston Tunnel with the new ramp.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Dec 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Painted on both sides of the ramp was Slow. Pedestrians get priority in the tunnel.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Dec 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Before entering the tunnel, Saw a West Midlands Railway Class 323 train go past, in the new orange and white livery (replacing the old London Midland green).

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Dec 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The towpath is now much wider, and even the lighting seems to be brighter in here (not as dark).

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Dec 2018) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Slow sign on the ramp close to the South West Portal.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Dec 2018) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

And another pair of painted Slow signs closer to the exit of the tunnel.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Dec 2018) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

2020

In August 2020, I had my first walk down the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in months (due to the pandemic / lockdown). Starting at The Mailbox and ending at The Vale (was thinking about Somerset Road but The Vale exit came first). Also my first time back in the Edgbaston Tunnel since the end of 2018.

A lady was running towards me, also had to let a couple pass me, due to social distancing.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Aug 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It was a bit hard to see the at white building on Church Road, due to the amount of leaves on the surrounding trees.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Aug 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A narrowboat was coming out of the tunnel.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Aug 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Got this view from just inside of the tunnel as the narrowboat heading out.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Aug 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Still the optical illusion of the tunnel being long (when it isn't).

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Aug 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

A zoom in from the far end of the tunnel as the narrowboat was still heading on it's way.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Aug 2020) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One last look at the Edgbaston Tunnel as I continued my walk towards The Vale.

dndimg alt="Edgbaston Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edgbaston Tunnel (Aug 2020) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown.

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70 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
17 Aug 2020 - Elliott Brown
Did you know?

The Brandwood Tunnel on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal

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One of the oldest structures on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal is the Brandwood Tunnel near Brandwood and Brandwood End in South Birmingham. Located between Kings Heath and Kings Norton, it was built between 1793 and 1796 and opened by 1802. It is over 300 metres long. No towpath inside, so the towpaths go up to road level and you have to find the other end. But it's not signposted.

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The Brandwood Tunnel on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal





One of the oldest structures on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal is the Brandwood Tunnel near Brandwood and Brandwood End in South Birmingham. Located between Kings Heath and Kings Norton, it was built between 1793 and 1796 and opened by 1802. It is over 300 metres long. No towpath inside, so the towpaths go up to road level and you have to find the other end. But it's not signposted.


Brandwood Tunnel

The Brandwood Tunnel is on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal in Birmingham. In September 2018 I had a walk of the canal, starting at Alcester Road South near Kings Heath and Alcester Lanes End, and walking towards Kings Norton Junction. It was Birmingham Heritage Week at the time, although my walk here was nothing to do with that.

There is no towpath in the tunnel, so you have to walk up the towpath ramp towards Brandwood Road. And make your way to Shelfield Road for the other end. It was not signposted, and had to check Google Maps at the time (at one point I walked up Monyhull Hall Road in the wrong direction before I turned back and consulted Google Maps).

 

East Portal of the Brandwood Tunnel

Located on the walk between Alcester Road South and Monyhull Hall Road, is the East Portal of the Brandwood Tunnel. It is a Grade II listed building. It was built from 1793 until 1796 of brick and stone. The canal engineer was probably Josiah Clowes. In an age before motorised narrowboats, the narrowboat would have been pulled by a horse. But the horse would have been taken up to road level, while a pair of men legged it through the tunnel. The towpath leads up to Monyhull Hall Road. You have to walk down Brandwood Park Road to Shelfield Road to get to the other part of the canal, and the West Portal.

dndimg alt="East Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel East Portal (Sept 2018) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Was a nice reflection in the water of the tunnel entrance at the east end.

dndimg alt="East Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel East Portal (Sept 2018) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Sign about the Brandwood Tunnel at the East Portal. Canoes can go through, but they must check that the tunnel is clear and have a forward facing white light on.

dndimg alt="East Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel East Portal (Sept 2018) (9A).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

From this point, the towpath starts to go up the hill.

dndimg alt="East Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel East Portal (Sept 2018) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Both ends have a portrait, but the East Portal seems to be missing a portrait (maybe it eroded due to weather over 220 plus years?). There was unsightly tags at the top of the East Portal brickwork.

dndimg alt="East Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel East Portal (Sept 2018) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Brandwood Tunnel sign looked like it was in need of a repair.  It's hard to tell who this portrait was of.

dndimg alt="East Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel East Portal (Sept 2018) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Brandwood Tunnel is 322 metres in length.

dndimg alt="East Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel East Portal (Sept 2018) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Steps down for someone in a narrowboat to use. Such as the person with the key to the locks.

dndimg alt="East Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel East Portal (Sept 2018) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Last look at the East Portal before walking up to the road level. Some more graffiti tags on the right.

dndimg alt="East Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel East Portal (Sept 2018) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

West Portal of the Brandwood Tunnel

This portal is located near Shelfield Road in Brandwood End. Easy to miss as it was not signposted at road level, so had to check Google Maps to find the towpath. The West Portal is also a Grade II listed building and was built from 1793 to 1794. The north section of the Stratford-on-Avon Canal opened in 1802. This side has a portrait of William Shakespeare (as people in narrowboats will most likely be heading for Shakespeare's Stratford-upon-Avon). Beyond here the canal leads to Kings Norton Junction where it meets the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Kings Norton (just after a guillotine lock).

dndimg alt="West Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel West Portal (Sept 2018) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Heading down the towpath next to the West Portal. More graffiti on the brickwork to the left.

dndimg alt="West Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel West Portal (Sept 2018) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

First proper glimse at the West Portal of the Brandwood Tunnel, as I headed down the towpath.

dndimg alt="West Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel West Portal (Sept 2018) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A view of the portrait of William Shakespeare.

dndimg alt="West Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel West Portal (Sept 2018) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

This portrait of Shakespeare has survived the centuries, but looks weathered around the edges.

dndimg alt="West Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel West Portal (Sept 2018) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Even this side mentions that the Brandwood Tunnel is 322 metres long.

dndimg alt="West Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel West Portal (Sept 2018) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

One last look at the Shakespeare portrait.

dndimg alt="West Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel West Portal (Sept 2018) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A proper look at the West Portal before continuing the walk towards Kings Norton.

dndimg alt="West Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel West Portal (Sept 2018) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Brandwood Tunnel sign at the West Portal at the time was heavily vandalised with graffiti tags. Hopefully the Canal & River Trust has cleaned it up since. But the canal down here always gets tagged, even at the guillotine lock at Kings Norton a bit further down.

dndimg alt="West Portal Brandwood Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brandwood Tunnel West Portal (Sept 2018) (9).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

 

There are other tunnels that you can walk through. Such as the Edgbaston Tunnel and Broad Street Tunnel on the Worceser & Birmingham Canal, which I can cover in future posts.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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60 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
15 Jul 2020 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

The Ariel Aqueduct on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Selly Oak

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The Ariel Aqueduct was built alongside a railway viaduct on the Cross City Line in Selly Oak when the Selly Oak Bypass was built, which opened in 2011. It carries the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. The towpath is suitable for walking, cycling and taking your dog for a walk, as well as going for a run. You can also see trains going past. Below is the Aston Webb Boulevard.

Related

The Ariel Aqueduct on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Selly Oak





The Ariel Aqueduct was built alongside a railway viaduct on the Cross City Line in Selly Oak when the Selly Oak Bypass was built, which opened in 2011. It carries the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. The towpath is suitable for walking, cycling and taking your dog for a walk, as well as going for a run. You can also see trains going past. Below is the Aston Webb Boulevard.


Ariel Aqueduct

When the Selly Oak Bypass (later to be named as the Aston Webb Boulevard) was built in Selly Oak during 2010 to 2011, it meant that an aqueduct had to built on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal, as well as a railway viaduct on the Cross City Line. The nearby wasteland used to be where the Battery Works used to be. With the completion of the first phase of the bypass, it meant that the University of Birmingham could build new student accommodation nearby to the aqueduct. Further up the bypass, the land had to be decontaminated, as there used to be a landfill there. Eventually the Selly Oak Shopping Park and a student accommodation block was opened in late 2018. And the rest of the land (still to be built on) will be for the Life Sciences Park of the University of Birmingham. Meanwhile since Sainsbury's moved to the new shopping park, it meant that work could start on extending the bypass to Selly Oak Triangle (started in 2019 but is not yet complete).

I used to be able to get onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal down a road off the Bristol Road near a car showroom. But there is now new steps closed to the Unite student accommodation (as well as a shortcut to Sainsbury's and the new shopping park). Then walk as far as the University of Birmingham before getting off the canal.

 

View below of the Ariel Aqueduct from the Aston Webb Boulevard (Selly Oak Bypass) during September 2012. Leading towards Queen Elizabeth Island and New Fosse Way. The new Birmingham Super Hospital opened in 2010, so these new roads helped give access to it (the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham).

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Sept 2012).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The views of the Ariel Aqueduct taken during February 2013. This was during a walk along the canal from Selly Oak to the University of Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Feb 2013) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The towpath turns slightly to the right as you head onto the aqueduct.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Feb 2013) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Saw a man in green running past me. Best to stop and let them pass you.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Feb 2013) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

From here you can see the railway viaduct on the right. If you are lucky you could see some trains passing by!

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Feb 2013) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Some nice reflections from the railings. You can only get to the other side in a narrowboat.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Feb 2013) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In January 2014, could see the completed Victoria Hall from the Ariel Aqueduct next to Old Joe.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Jan 2014) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Within a few years of the completion of the bypass several student accommodation blocks got built down there.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Jan 2014) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Jarratt Hall is seen to the right of the aqueduct.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Jan 2014) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The view of the bypass. The University of Birmingham is on the left. The Bournbrook area of Selly Oak is on the right.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Jan 2014) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The view below taken during August 2017. It always feels weird walking over the aqueduct. It's so high up above the bypass.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Aug 2017).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In this February 2019 view, I caught a view of the Ariel Aqueduct from a train passing over the railway viaduct.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Feb 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In August 2019 on another walk over the Ariel Aqueduct, saw a cyclist going past me. The grass and trees more grown by this point.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Aug 2019).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Went over it again during January 2020. This time a cyclist in orange was coming towards me.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Jan 2020) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

From the other side, caught a Class 323 West Midlands Railway train passing over that railway bridge. Touch Base Pears seen behind.

dndimg alt="Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Ariel Aqueduct (Jan 2020) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

For another post on aqueducts in the West Midlands region go to this post on the Wootton Wawen & Edstone Aqueducts on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal in Warwickshire.

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

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60 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
11 Jun 2020 - Elliott Brown
Did you know?

The Wootton Wawen Aqueduct and the Edstone Aqueduct on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal

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Recently I've had the chance to go to the Edstone Aqueduct in Warwickshire for a walk up the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. Didn't quite get to the Wootton Wawen Aqueduct this time around, but I popped over it several years ago. Wootton Wawen built in 1813 and Edstone in 1816. This canal links Kings Norton to Stratford-upon-Avon. The Edstone Aqueduct is the longest aqueduct in England.

Related

The Wootton Wawen Aqueduct and the Edstone Aqueduct on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal





Recently I've had the chance to go to the Edstone Aqueduct in Warwickshire for a walk up the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. Didn't quite get to the Wootton Wawen Aqueduct this time around, but I popped over it several years ago. Wootton Wawen built in 1813 and Edstone in 1816. This canal links Kings Norton to Stratford-upon-Avon. The Edstone Aqueduct is the longest aqueduct in England.


Wootton Wawen Aqueduct

The Wootton Wawen Aqueduct is a Grade II* listed aqueduct dating to 1813. It crosses the A3400 Stratford Road in Wootton Wawen, Warwickshire near The Navigation Inn. It was restored in 1960. It was built by William Whitmore for the Stratford Canal Company. Made of a Cast-iron trough with integral towpath with cast-iron railings. The Southern Stratford Canal was built from 1793-1816. The canal was leased by the National Trust in 1960 from the British Waterways Board. They also acquired the freehold of the canal in 1964. The Wootton Wawen Aqueduct is a Scheduled Ancient Monument.

Seen from the Stratford Road in July 2014, near The Navigation Inn. There is a plaque in the middle with an 1813 date.

dndimg alt="Wootton Wawen Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (July 2014).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen during late April 2017, some time before 8pm in the evening before sunset to finally cross the Wootton Wawen Aqueduct for the first time.

dndimg alt="Wootton Wawen Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (April 2017) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This aqueduct is quite short, so it doesn't take long to cross it.

dndimg alt="Wootton Wawen Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (April 2017) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Navigation Inn see to the left. Beyond was a garage.

dndimg alt="Wootton Wawen Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (April 2017) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

To the right of the Wooton Wawen Aqueduct is Anglo Welsh Waterway Holidays. Where you can hire a narrowboat.

dndimg alt="Wootton Wawen Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (April 2017) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The steps takes you slightly below the level of the water.

dndimg alt="Wootton Wawen Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (April 2017) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This aqueduct has been here well over 200 years, and has had some modifications since then.

dndimg alt="Wootton Wawen Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (April 2017) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I'm not sure what this archway was for though.

dndimg alt="Wootton Wawen Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Wootton Wawen Aqueduct (April 2017) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Edstone Aqueduct

The Edstone Aqueduct is a Grade II* listed aqueduct dating to 1816. It is the longest canal aqueduct in England at a length of 475 feet (145 m). It crosses Salters Lane, the Shakespeare Line (between Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon), a minor road and the trackbed of the former Alcester Railway. It was built from 1812-16. It was made of English bond grey brick piers, and regular coursed stone and brick abutments. With some late 19th century engineering brick. It carried what was formerly called the South Stratford Canal. It is between Wilmcote and Wootton Wawen, and is also near Bearley (sometimes also called the Bearley Aqueduct).

This visit was on the last day of May 2020, as lockdown restrictions were eased. It was warm but not too warm in the morning. Arriving near the car park on Salters Lane. Was a brilliant blue sky that morning in Warwickshire.

dndimg alt="Edstone Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edstone Aqueduct (May 2020) (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It is the longest canal aqueduct in England.

dndimg alt="Edstone Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edstone Aqueduct (May 2020) (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Got some brilliant shadows from the railings onto the towpath here.

dndimg alt="Edstone Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edstone Aqueduct (May 2020) (3).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

It didn't even feel scary or nervous to walk over this aqueduct compared to some other ones I've been on. Then again it wasn't too high.

dndimg alt="Edstone Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edstone Aqueduct (May 2020) (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Shakespeare Line crossed underneath. Also known as the North Warwickshire Railway. Or the Birmingham and North Warwickshire railway. I kept hearing trains, but didn't get to this spot on the aqueduct in time to see them.

dndimg alt="Edstone Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edstone Aqueduct (May 2020) (5).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The view of the Edstone Aqueduct from Bearley Lock No. 39. From here it looks quite small.

dndimg alt="Edstone Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edstone Aqueduct (May 2020) (6).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Later on the walk back down the Stratford-on-Avon Canal, saw the rare sight of a narrowboat (on the move during lockdown). Behind was an inflatable dinghy. Then again this was my first canal walk in more than 3 months.

dndimg alt="Edstone Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edstone Aqueduct (May 2020) (7).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Due to social distancing, we had to wait for other people to cross the aqueduct before us.

dndimg alt="Edstone Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edstone Aqueduct (May 2020) (8).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

I found a hill with a wooden banister and popped down for this view. Wasn't really a path, so had to drag myself back up to the canal along the banister.

dndimg alt="Edstone Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edstone Aqueduct (May 2020) (9).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Time to cross the Edstone Aqueduct again.

dndimg alt="Edstone Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edstone Aqueduct (May 2020) (10).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

One last look before we returned to Birmingham. The car park is to the left. Good point to start walks, take your dog for a walk, or bike rides.

dndimg alt="Edstone Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Edstone Aqueduct (May 2020) (11).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

There is at least one or two other aqueducts on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal that I've yet to walk over. But waiting until the late Spring to go over the Edstone Aqueduct (even under lockdown) was worth it. And was best to wait till now, as in the winter, it might have been muddy on the canal. Some of the towpath was really dry, and the mud or soil was cracked (and hard to walk over).

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown.

Follow me on Twitter here ellrbrown. Thanks for all the followers.

 

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70 passion points
Environment & green action
20 Feb 2020 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

'All things Water' from across Birmingham & the West Midlands

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Photo above courtesy Kevin Maslin

With all the heavy rain we have had let's share some wonderful  'all things water' photography from our brilliant and talanted people with real passion.

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'All things Water' from across Birmingham & the West Midlands





Photo above courtesy Kevin Maslin

With all the heavy rain we have had let's share some wonderful  'all things water' photography from our brilliant and talanted people with real passion.


Gas Street Basin

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/hris 1807.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photo courtesy Chris Fletcher

 

Moseley Park & Pool

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/barry 01(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo courtesy Barry Whitehead

 

Gas Street Basin

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Evening in Birmingham BEST 16 Aug 18-55.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo courtesy Christine Wright

 

Birmingham & Fazeley Canal

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/kev 0807.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo courtesy Kevin Maslin

 

Along the canals just past Digbeth

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/tammie 0805.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo courtesy Tammie Naughton

 

Doing the loop the canal way in Birminghamdndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/jay canal(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo courtesy Jay Mason Burns 

 

Brindleyplace

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Photo courtesy Damien Walmsley

 

Edgbaston Reservoir 

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Photo courtesy Daniel Sturley

 

Witton Lakes Park

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Photo courtesy Elliott Brown

 

Gas Street Basin

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Photo courtesy Mac McCreery

 

Swanshurst Park

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Photo courtesy Karl Newton

 

Gas Street Basin

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Photo courtesy Pete Davies

 

It's good to get out for a ride or walk on our West Midland Canals

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/peter 2507.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />Photo courtesy Peter Leadbetter

 

Urban Autumn in Birmingham

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Photo courtesy Victoria Ball

 

250 years since West Bromwich was linked to Birmingham by canal

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Photo courtesy Kevin Maslin

 

Cannon Hill Park Lake 

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Photo courtesy Karl Newton

 

Gas Street Basin in Snow

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Photo courtesy Daniel Sturley

 

Early evening sunset at Gas Street Basin in Birmingham

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Photo courtesy Chris Fletcher

 

Regency Wharf in Birmingham

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Photo courtesy Barry Whitehead

 

Fox Hollies Park

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Photo courtesy Tammie Naughton

 

The Blue Hour, Edgbaston Reservoir 

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Photo courtesy Karl Newton

 

Autumnal reflections

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Photo courtesy Jay Mason Burns

 

Kings Heath Park, Birmingham

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Photo courtesy Christine Wright

 

Canal Journey 

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Photo courtesy Damien Walmsley

 

Pool in Moseley Park

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Photo courtesy Elliott Brown

 

Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/peter 0905.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo courtesy Peter Leadbetter

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50 passion points
Photography
05 Jun 2019 - Karl Newton
Gallery

Canal photography around Birmingham - start of a gallery!

Post image

Hi all, this is Karl

Over the last few months I have developed an interest in our canal networks and moving forward I am planning to develop this into some sort of formal project and document more of it with my camera, in the meanwhile here below is a look back at some of my photos so far

Related

Canal photography around Birmingham - start of a gallery!





Hi all, this is Karl

Over the last few months I have developed an interest in our canal networks and moving forward I am planning to develop this into some sort of formal project and document more of it with my camera, in the meanwhile here below is a look back at some of my photos so far


dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham Canals 1.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Birmingham canal hub.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Black Boy Knowle.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

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dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hatton Locks.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Industrial Canal.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Worcester canal coming into Birmingham.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

All photography courtesy Karl Newton

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80 passion points
Green travel
17 Apr 2019 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

A look at the Grand Union Canal from Birmingham to Leamington Spa

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The Grand Union Canal links Birmingham to London, but here we will just look at the areas from Birmingham towards Leamington Spa. Made up of smaller canals bought by the Regents Canal Company in the 1920s. Many locks were widened for double sized barges, although they ended up being used by pairs of narrowboats instead! Through Acocks Green, Olton, Hatton, Warwick and Leamington Spa.

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A look at the Grand Union Canal from Birmingham to Leamington Spa





The Grand Union Canal links Birmingham to London, but here we will just look at the areas from Birmingham towards Leamington Spa. Made up of smaller canals bought by the Regents Canal Company in the 1920s. Many locks were widened for double sized barges, although they ended up being used by pairs of narrowboats instead! Through Acocks Green, Olton, Hatton, Warwick and Leamington Spa.


Starting at Spaghetti Junction, below the M6 motorway is Salford Junction. This is where the Grand Union Canal starts in north Birmingham (unless you count Bordesley Junction as the start). At Salford Junction is the Salford Junction Bridge. The canals going left and right is the Tame Valley Canal and the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal. Above is the concrete and graffiti carrying the M6 motorway at the Gravelley Hill Interchange aka Spaghetti Junction. The canal was formerly called the Birmingham & Warwick Junction Canal until it was bought in 1929 by the Regent's Canal company to form the Grand Union Canal. It goes down to Bordesley linking up with the Digbeth Branch of the Grand Union Canal.

dndimg alt="Salford Junction Bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Salford Junction Bridge.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This April 2018 view of the Grand Union Canal from near the Bordesley Village. Near the Garrison Lane Bridge. Towards The Village Bridge. Graffiti street art for the Canal & River Trust and Phoenix Hall below Bordesley Village. Not far from here is St Andrew's home of Birmingham City FC.

dndimg alt="Bordesley Village - Grand Union Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Village Grand Union Canal.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Near Bordesley Middleway the canal locks that leads onto the Grand Union Canal. The railway bridge of the Snow Hill lines and to the right was the Holy Trinity Church in this view from October 2009. The canal lock is labelled "Bordesley Middle Way no 1". This direction towards Small Heath. Digbeth is back around the loop to the right of here. Time to head off to the suburbs!

dndimg alt="Bordesley Junction - Grand Union Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bordesley Junction Grand Union Canal.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Seen near the Westley Vale Millennium Green in Acocks Green. A look at the Grand Union Canal during May 2015. So lush and green at this time of year! The canal down here was the Warwick & Birmingham Canal before becoming part of the Grand Union Canal. Seen from bridge no 86, dating to the late 18th century. Also known as the Woodcock Lane Bridge. This area is not that far from Acocks Green Station.

dndimg alt="Acocks Green - Grand Union Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Acocks Green Grand Union Canal Westley Vale.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Now the canal heads through Solihull. First a look at the canal in Olton, not far from Olton Station. Seen from the Richmond Road Bridge during January 2013. There had been a bit of snow at this point of the year, but mostly melted. The towpaths can get quite muddy in Solihull!

dndimg alt="Olton - Grand Union Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Olton Grand Union Canal.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

An April 2018 walk from Solihull to Catherine-de-Barnes started at the Damson Parkway Bridge and ended at the Hampton Lane Bridge in Catherine-de-Barnes, a village in Solihull Borough. The towpath was very muddy! Mud on my jeans and shoes! Later took a path back via some fields back to Solihull. A pair of narrowboats seen near the Hampton Lane Bridge, where I got off the muddy towpath to have a look at the village! Yes, it's possible to walk from Solihull Town Centre to Catherine-de-Barnes via the Grand Union Canal!

dndimg alt="Catherine-de-Barnes - Grand Union Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Catherine de Barnes Grand Union Canal.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Down to Warwickshire now, and the Hatton Locks. This was from a visit to Hatton during March 2017, getting the train from Solihull to Hatton. After exploring the area, I made it eventually to Hatton Locks, what a sight to see from the top! This photo was from around lock 42. The locks are known as the "Stairway to Heaven". This was close to the Hatton Wharf.  St Mary's Church in Warwick was visible from this point. I returned to the Hatton Locks two years later during April 2019 (during my Warwick Station to Warwick Parkway Station walk). That ended near the Hatton Bottom Lock. The canal here was still formerly part of the Warwick & Birmingham Canal, only ending at Budbrooke Junction, near the Saltisford Arm.

dndimg alt="Hatton Locks Grand Union Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Hatton Locks Grand Union Canal Hatton.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In Warwick from the Coventry Road Bridge. This view of the Grand Union Canal, Kate Boats in Warwick is on the right. Many narrowboats were moored here. My April 2019 walk along the Grand Union Canal in Warwick started from the Coventry Road Bridge, but first a look at the side that I didn't walk up. Got the train to Warwick Station with the intention of walking towards Warwick Parkway Station. The walk takes you past many bridges. The canal here was formerly the Warwick & Napton Canal. It leads to Budbrooke Junction. I got off the canal at the Birmingham Road Bridge and saw the Saltisford Arm, but had to get back on the other side, towards the Hatton Bottom Lock, before getting off again near Warwick Parkway Station!

dndimg alt="Warwick - Grand Union Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Warwick Grand Union Canal Kate Boats Warwick.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Grand Union Canal was looking lush and green during May 2016 in Leamington Spa. Train down from Solihull to Leamington Spa. I got onto the towpath at Old Warwick Road and got off at Tachbrook Road. I think at the time I was thinking of getting on at the road I got off, but plans never go to plan when you get to a location to take photos! Here a narrowboat was going at a leisurely pace along the canal, while a man was jogging along the towpath. The canal here is not that far from Leamington Spa Station. Both the canal and the Chiltern Mainline run quite close to each other in Warwickshire!

dndimg alt="Leamington Spa - Grand Union Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Leamington Spa Grand Union Canal.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

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70 passion points
Environment & green action
02 Apr 2019 - Elliott Brown
Gallery

From Birmingham to Worcester on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal

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A look at the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. Starting near the Mailbox, heading down Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Bournville, Stirchley to Kings Norton. Also at look at the other end of the canal down in Worcester. Between Five Ways and Bournville, the canal and railway run almost parallel. There is also the Ariel Aqueduct in Selly Oak! At Kings Norton you can leave this canal for Stratford!

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From Birmingham to Worcester on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal





A look at the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. Starting near the Mailbox, heading down Edgbaston, Selly Oak, Bournville, Stirchley to Kings Norton. Also at look at the other end of the canal down in Worcester. Between Five Ways and Bournville, the canal and railway run almost parallel. There is also the Ariel Aqueduct in Selly Oak! At Kings Norton you can leave this canal for Stratford!


We start at The Cube. In this August 2013 view near The Mailbox. Directly ahead is Gas Street Basin, where the Worcester & Birmingham Canal ends at Worcester Bar, and near the start of the Birmingham Canal Navigations Mainline (through the Broad Street Tunnel). I normally do the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in small sections. I usually see cyclists on the towpath, and occasionally dog walkers. The Salvage Turn Bridge (as it is called) aka the Love Lock Bridge. It was recently repaired.

dndimg alt="W & B Canal at The Cube" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal Salvage Turn Bridge Sherborne Wharf narrowboat.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

In this January 2011 view from the Granville Street Bridge. Head down the steps, and you can walk towards Bath Row, then onto Islington Row Middleway. Student halls on the left are for University College Birmingham (UCB). You may also see an abandoned railway line on the right (usually full of litter). Could do with restoring somehow!

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal - Granville Street" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal Granville Street.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

View from April 2014 near the IQ student accommodation. From Bath Row towards Islington Row Middleway. The exit near here is on the other side of the Bath Row Bridge. In recent years, a new exit to Islington Row Middleway and Five Ways Station was installed. As that is the last exit for a while before The Vale at the University of Birmingham!

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal - Bath Row to Islington Row Middleway" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal near Bath Row to Islington Row Middleway.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

In this view from February 2012, from the Islington Row Middleway Bridge, you can see a pair of narrowboats, including the Sherborne Wharf tourist trip boat, on the left. While Five Ways Station with a London Midland Class 170 passing (it does not stop there on the way to Hereford). Abandoned railway line in the middle, that used to go to about where the AXIS building is now (the tunnels are still there, but are blocked off). The St James Road Bridge does not have steps, so if you are on the towpath and want to get off, you have to walk towards The Vale! Beyond here it is very leafy and tree lined, to keep the Calthorpe Estates of Edgbaston looking pretty!

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal and Five Ways Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal and Five Ways Station.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Edgbaston Tunnel seen from near the north portal, during April 2016. Running on the right is what is now the Cross City Line. The lost Church Road Station used to be around here. A narrowboat is seen going through the tunnel. In 2018, the towpath in the tunnel was widened, so this section was closed for a few months (it is now open again). I regularly see cyclists down here when I walk this section. Hallfield School is on the other side of the tunnel.

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Also April 2016. If you want to get off after a walk from The Mailbox, take this bridge at The Vale, near new student accommodation blocks for the University of Birmingham. The road / path leads to Church Road in Edgbaston, near the number 1 bus route! The bridges around here normally get tagged!

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal - The Vale" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal The Vale University of Birmingham.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Another set of steps at Somerset Road in Edgbaston to get onto the Worcester & Birmingham Canal towpath. Near the University of Birmingham. On the Cross City line during January 2018, West Midlands Railway 323203, is seen cruising towards Longbridge and Redditch (is always nice to be sat on the train, when passing the canal down here). The totem pole was heavily vandalised at the time.

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Next up is this February 2013 view from the Pritchatts Road Bridge in Edgbaston, around the University of Birmingham. On the Cross City line around to the right is University Station. No towpath access here, the next one up is next to University Station at the Westgate (or University Road West).

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Pritchatts Road" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal Pritchatts Road towards University Station.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Selly Oak New Road opened in 2011 and that including building an aqueduct for the Worcester & Birmingham Canal and a railway viaduct for the Cross City Line. This view from February 2013. The road below is called the Aston Webb Boulevard, after the architect of the original University of Birmingham buildings. From the canal you can see the railway. You can also see th aqueduct from a train passing over the railway viaduct! Beyond here is the Battery Park redevelopment site, where the new Selly Oak Shopping Park opened in late 2018. While the Life Sciences Park for the University of Birmingham has yet to be built!

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal - Selly Oak Bypass - Ariel Aqueduct" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal Selly Oak Ariel Aqueduct.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Worcester & Birmingham Canal switches sides with the Cross City line between the Bristol Road and Raddlebarn Road bridges in Selly Oak. In this March 2018 view, a West Midlands Railway Class 323 train is seen heading towards Selly Oak Station. The Bristol Road entrance to the canal is via The Dingle. But is also access near some of the new housing developments.

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March 2018 between Bournville Station, Mary Vale Road towards Raddlebarn Road in Bournville. As a West Midlands Railway Class 323 train headed south towards Longbridge, I was approaching the Cadbury Railway Wharf Bridge. It is no longer used. Was the former Cadbury private railway that led to the chocolate factory! But the bridge remains!

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An October 2011 view of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal from near Mary Vale Road in Bournville. London Midland 323215 was at Bournville Station, while a cyclist and some joggers were heading up the towpath! On a nice autumnal day! I hadn't started to use the Cross City line at that point! If you get on the canal in Stirchley (on the Pershore Road near Lifford Lane), you can get off here, and head down Mary Vale Road to the Pershore Road. Or head in the other direction to Cadbury World and Bournville Village.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Bournville Station" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal Bournville Station.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

An unexpected site during March 2015 from the Pershore Road Bridge in Stirchley. A club of canoeists on the canal! The road on the left, is another section of a lost railway line. Lots of industrial units up this way.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal - Stirchley Pershore Road canoes" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal Stirchley Pershore Road canoes.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The Camp Hill Line railway bridge seen during April 2016 in Stirchley. This part of the towpath is part of the Rea Valley Route. There is various paths along the River Rea that goes through Stirchley, then joins the canal near here, and goes down to Kings Norton and beyond.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal - Camp Hill Line Bridge in Stirchley" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal Stirchley Camp Hill Line.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The view from March 2012 in Kings Norton. This part of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Kings Norton Junction, near the start of the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. Not far from here is the Guillotine Lock on the Stratford-on-Avon Canal. This building was the Lock Keepers Cottage, also known as Junction House, a Grade II listed building. It has been empty for a long time, and was sadly a victim of an arson attack. It was built in 1802. Hopefully the Canal & River Trust / Birmingham City Council can restore it, and give it a use. Maybe a canalside cafe / tea room. It can't be left empty forever (and hopefully it won't be demolished!). It might even date to as early as 1796!

dndimg alt="Kings Norton Junction where the Worcester & Birmingham meets the Stratford-on-Avon Canal" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal Kings Norton Junction Stratford on Avon Canal.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The furthest south in Birmingham on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal that I have explored was from Parsons Hill in Kings Norton, near Wharf Road. From here in March 2012, I would have walked up to Kings Norton Junction. I have yet to cover the section south of here. Anything further south in Worcestershire, I covered by getting a train to Alvechurch or Worcester!

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal - Kings Norton Parsons Hill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal Kings Norton Parsons Hill.JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A February 2016 train trip to Alvechurch in Worcestershire. Near Alvechurch Station is the Alvechurch Marina on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. A useful place to start a boating holiday. Seen from Scarfield Hill

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal - Alvechurch Marina" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal Alvechurch Marina.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Now a look at some parts of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in the City of Worcester!

My last visit to Worcester by train was during August 2018 to check out their Giraffe sculpture trail, Worcester Stands Tall (similar to the Big Hoot / Big Sleuth in Birmingham). This view from the bridge on Lowesmoor Place in Worcester.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal - Lowesmoor Place, Worcester" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal in Worcester (4).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

November 2011 in Worcester. Converted factories and Albion Mill in the Diglis area of Worcester. New buildings and old being converted into flats / apartments, like in Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Worcester - Converted Factories - Albion Mill" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal in Worcester (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Diglis Basin and the Dry Dock during November 2011 in Worcester. Like with Birmingham, they have converted old factories into apartments, and built new buildings up the canal. Many narrowboats here.

dndimg alt="Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Worcester - Diglis Basin and dry dock" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal in Worcester (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The end of the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at the River Severn in Worcester. Seen November 2011 at the Diglis Bottom Lock. I acutally walked down the River Severn path, then up the towpath from here towards Worcester Shrub Hill Station! The lock here is Grade II listed Barge Lock No 1 Adjacent to River Severn, Worcester.

dndimg alt="Diglis Bottom Lock - Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Worcester" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/W & B Canal in Worcester (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Photos taken by Elliott Brown

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40 passion points
History & heritage
13 Mar 2019 - Elliott Brown
Inspiration

Birmingham more miles of canals than Venice

Post image

I went to Venice in July 2010 and had a ride on a gondola. We were also taken around the lagoon. A comparison of Birmingham's canals with those in Venice, Italy. Gondolas vs narrowboats. We have more miles of canals in Brum compared to Venice. 35 miles of canals with the City of Birmingham, with most of that navigable. Around 26 miles in Venice. Venice first then a look at Birmingham!

Related

Birmingham more miles of canals than Venice





I went to Venice in July 2010 and had a ride on a gondola. We were also taken around the lagoon. A comparison of Birmingham's canals with those in Venice, Italy. Gondolas vs narrowboats. We have more miles of canals in Brum compared to Venice. 35 miles of canals with the City of Birmingham, with most of that navigable. Around 26 miles in Venice. Venice first then a look at Birmingham!


This post will mostly be a comparison of the Dragon Boat race near Brindleyplace and the narrowboats within the city centre on the Birmingham Canal Navigations near Brindleyplace. With the world famous gondolas seen on the canals in Venice.

We start off with Venice. After the long boat ride to get to the city we got straight onto a gondola for a ride around the famous canals of Venice! The journey starts from the Bacino di San Marco.

dndimg alt="Venice canals - gondolas" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canals in Venice (July 2010) (8).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

I was on one gondola back in July 2010 and saw this gondola in front! This canal was the Rio di Palazzo. The gondolier's were having a chat with each other!

dndimg alt="Gondola ride on the canals of Venice" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canals in Venice (July 2010) (1).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Both gondolas were heading for this footbridge. Many interesting looking buildings on the way!

dndimg alt="Gondola ride on the canals of Venice" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canals in Venice (July 2010) (2).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

A view of the Hard Rock Cafe in Venice. I can't even recall there being a Hard Rock Cafe in Birmingham! More recently saw a Hard Rock Cafe in Lyon, France and in Florence, Italy. Seen at the Orseolo basin (Bacino Orseolo). The canal might be the Rio del Cappello.

dndimg alt="Hard Rock Cafe near a canal in Venice" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canals in Venice (July 2010) (3).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

More tourists enjoying a ride on a gondola, like I did earlier that day (a roasting hot 12th July 2010 over 35°C!). This canal was the Rio del Scoa Camini. The Bacino Orseolo (Orseolo Basin) is around the corner.

dndimg alt="Gondola rides on the canals of Venice" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canals in Venice (July 2010) (4).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

The view from the same footbridge as above, so still the Rio del Scoa Camini. A footpath running alongside the shops. More tourists riding on gondolas. One gondolier on a brake (on the right).

dndimg alt="Gondola rides on the canals of Venice" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canals in Venice (July 2010) (5).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

Another Venetian canal. Several boats moored on the left. Seen from a footbridge on the Riva degli Schiavoni. This canal is the Rio di San Lorenzo. The bell tower on the right is of the Church of San Giorgio dei Greci (Chiesa di San Giorgio dei Greci in Italian).

dndimg alt="Boats and a tower from a canal in Venice" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canals in Venice (July 2010) (6).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

If you want a taxi around Venice, then this is the way to travel, by a speedboat! Seen from another footbridge on the Riva degli Schiavoni. This canal was the Rio della Pieta. At this point we were heading to catch a boat for a Lagoon cruise! This might be almost 9 years ago but this day in Venice is still quite memorable!

dndimg alt="Speedboat taxi on a canal in Venice" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canals in Venice (July 2010) (7).JPG" style="width: 100%;" />

OK enough with Venice, and back to Birmingham!

Flowers on the Brindleyplace Bridge over the Birmingham Canal Navigations in this view towards the Broad Street Tunnel. The ICC on the left, Brindleyplace to the right. Flowers out for the 4 Squares Weekender which was held in the city centre over the weekend of the 6th to 8th September 2013 (around when the new Library of Birmingham had opened). The red Waterbus seen behind. And the Sherborne Wharf tourist boat in front!

dndimg alt="4 Squares Weekender 2013 - Brindleyplace bridge" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Brindleyplace Bridge on the Birmingham Canal Navigations.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Not something you see on the Birmingham Canal Navigations every day. Canoeing on the canal. Saw this in May 2015 close to the Barclaycard Arena (now Arena Birmingham). This view the corner close to the Sealife Centre.

dndimg alt="Canoeing on the BCN" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canoeing on the Birmingham Canal Navigations (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

This view close to the Sheepcote Street Bridge. I also once saw canoes on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal from the Pershore Road Bridge in Stirchley!

dndimg alt="Canoeing on the BCN" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canoeing on the Birmingham Canal Navigations (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

What you are more likely to see around here is a service boat! Seen passing the Waterbus and the Sherborne Wharf tourist narrowboat. It was heading past the Brindleyplace Bridge towards the Broad Street Tunnel during early April 2018. Behind was Arena Birmingham, The Malt House and the Brewmasters House!

See my post on them here The Brasshouse, The Brewmasters House and The Malt House - historic canal buildings around the BCN and Brindleyplace.

dndimg alt="Service boat on the BCN from the Broad Street Tunnel" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Service boat on the BCN from Broad Street Tunnel.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

About a week later (still April 2018), saw this man on a surfboard and a lady on one (might be a canoe)? Well they weren't surfing on the Birmingham Canal Navigations, as they headed under the Brewmasters Bridge. Probably rowing on their boards! This was round about when the BSAVA Congress was on at The ICC (probably not related).

dndimg alt="Surfing or canoeing on the BCN" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Surfing on the Birmingham Canal Navigations.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

OK here's the promised Dragon Boat Race photos. First one from June 2017 outside of the Sealife Centre Birmingham, close to the Brewmasters House and the Brewmasters Bridge. These boats are probably the closest thing we would have in Birmingham to the gondolas in Venice!

dndimg alt="Dragon Boat Race 2017" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dragon Boat Race on the BCN 2017.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

The Dragon Baot Race  seen during June 2018. Packed full of spectators around the Birmingham Canal Navigations. This was also close to the Sealife Centre Birmingham.

dndimg alt="Dragon Boat Race 2018" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dragon Boat Race on the BCN 2018 (1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Now a building at Brindleyplace that wouldn't be out of place in Venice. Three Brindleyplace is seen to the left of the Sealife Centre. Teams at the race getting ready to race up and down from the Sealife Centre to the Broad Street Tunnel and back. I was only passing through, so didn't see much of the race in 2017 and 2018.

dndimg alt="Dragon Boat Race 2018" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dragon Boat Race on the BCN 2018 (2).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Photos taken by Elliott Brown. The day trip to Venice was during July 2010.

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80 passion points
Green open spaces
13 Feb 2019 - Laura Creaven
News & Updates

Birmingham & Fazeley Canal open weekend

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The Canal and River Trust are hosting an open weekend on 23 - 24 February 2019, to celebrate the importance of the canal network to the people or Birmingham and see restoration in action.

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Birmingham & Fazeley Canal open weekend





The Canal and River Trust are hosting an open weekend on 23 - 24 February 2019, to celebrate the importance of the canal network to the people or Birmingham and see restoration in action.


The open weekend will take place at Cambrian Wharf, on 23 - 24 February 2019  10:00am - 4:00pm, near Kings Edwards Rd and the Flapper Pub.  Visitors will get to see restoration in action, as well as see what life was like living on the waterways, enjoy some walks along the canal and hear more about the Canal and Rive Trust's (CRT) partnerships with location organisations.

The gates at Locks 1 and 2, located a short walk from Brindley Place at the back of the Library, are being replaced.  Repairs are being made to the masonry in and around the lock too, as part of the CRT's winter maintenance programme. Over two days, visitors will be able to see the brand new hand crafted gates, made at the CRT's local Bradley workshop, as well as inspect the old gates. 

A heritage working boat will be moored close by for visitors to learn how life was for families who lived on board canal boats, and there will be old photographs of the lock, as well as activities for children.  Visitors will also be able to hear how the CRT are working in partnership with the National Trust. And of course, enjoy some towpath walks along the canals in central Birmingham. 

Each year the Canal and River Trust hold a number of free open days for the public. They are an exciting opportunity to see behind the scenes, see how they work with local communities and what improvements are taking place.

For more information, visit the Canal And River Trust website.

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50 passion points
Photography
29 May 2018 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Introducing a gallery of Chris Fletcher's canal photography

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Chris Fletcher is a talented photographer from Birmingham with a particular specialism for the city, its canals and surrounding countryside.

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Introducing a gallery of Chris Fletcher's canal photography





Chris Fletcher is a talented photographer from Birmingham with a particular specialism for the city, its canals and surrounding countryside.


Canal stretch between Birmingham University and Gas Street Basin.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/chris 210501.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Reflections at Arena Birmingham.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Twighlight chris fletcher.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A beautiful sunrise at Gas Street Basin.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/chris 170518.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

'Deep Underground' along the canal in Birmingham.

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Lovely sunset down by the canal.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Sunset from Gas Street Basin.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

'Dreamy times' along the canalside pathway.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dreamy Canalside Pathway.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

An early Spring down by the Worcester Canal.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Early Spring on the Worcester Canal.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

Winter reflections at Gas Street Basin, Birmingham.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Winter Reflections at Gas Street Basin(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

A Frozen Sherborne Wharf in Birmingham.

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Frozen Sherborne Wharf(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

 

All of the photography displayed here have been taken by the very talented Chris Fletcher, one of Birmingham's growing 'People with Passion'. 

 

See more of Chris's great work at his feature page at BirminghamWeAre.

 

Look out for more features from our Birmingham 'People with Passion' including poetry, art, construction, architecture, business, fashion, music and much, much more!

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40 passion points
Photography
18 Dec 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Birmingham's canals - View the most amazing gallery of photos!

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Take the article below to see some amazing photography taken along the canals that run through and around Birmingham.  All the photos have been taken by people who are passionate about their City and all it offers!  This is just a selection, much much more to come.

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Birmingham's canals - View the most amazing gallery of photos!





Take the article below to see some amazing photography taken along the canals that run through and around Birmingham.  All the photos have been taken by people who are passionate about their City and all it offers!  This is just a selection, much much more to come.


dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/canal Olton @CPF_Photography 180817.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Chris Fletcher

 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Bham canal Hanny Foxhall ‏ 111217.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Hanny Foxhall 

 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Canal birmingham‏ @Dammo 181017.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Damien Walmsley

 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/canal snow Dan Sturley ‏ 101217.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Daniel Sturley 

 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gas Street Basin rainbow @CPF_Photography 230717(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Chris Fletcher

 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Dragon Boat Race @Dammo 250617.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Damien Walmsley

 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/canal house @ellrbrown 100617.jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by Elliott Brown 

 

dndimg alt="" dndsrc="../uploadedfiles/Gas Street Basin Mac McCreery ‏ 121217(1).jpg" style="width: 100%;" />

Photo by 'Mac' McCreery 

 

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43 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
15 Nov 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Early evening sunset at Gas Street Basin in Birmingham

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A stunning photograph taken at Gas Street Basin during an early evening sunset in Birmingham. Photo by Chris Fletcher.

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6 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
27 Sep 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Amazing reflections on the Birmingham canal

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Daniel catches the Hyatt & Birmingham's Gas Street Basin in amazing sunset lighting creating great reflections on the canal.

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3 passion points
Rivers, lakes & canals
27 Sep 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Regency Wharf moorings on the Birmingham canal

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Victoria 2012 moored at Regency Wharf on the Birmingham canal - great photos of the canal from Damien.  

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3 passion points
Environment & green action
27 Aug 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

A 'must see' in Birmingham

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Birmingham Canal - Old Turn Junction from Brewmasters Bridge - A 'must see' for visitors to the city! Great photography Daniel.

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0 passion points
Photography
19 Aug 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Showcasing the canals and rivers across the West Midlands

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Canals in & around the West Midlands - Here's an absolute stunner of a photo from Chris taken near Olton.

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0 passion points
Environment & green action
12 Aug 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Down by the canal in Birmingham

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Down by the Birmingham Canal with Kevin - we love to showcase the work of inspired photographers, amateur and professional.

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Environment & green action
01 Aug 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Canals West Midlands - this at Great Barr, Birmingham

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A very atmospheric and timeless view of our beautiful canal network near Great Barr, Birmingham - outstanding photo from Kevin.

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Environment & green action
01 Aug 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Exploring the Birmingham canals - this at Cambrian Wharf

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The 'Flapper', one of Birmingham's many pubs along the canal. This not far from Brindleyplace. This from Kevin near Cambrian Wharf, one of the oldest part of the canal network. 

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Environment & green action
01 Aug 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Wild flowers along the Birmingham Canal

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A beautiful photograph from Nick along a canal towpath in Birmingham with wildflowers growing on the verges. 

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Environment & green action
01 Aug 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Sunsets over the Birmingham canals

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A fantastic sunset captured by Kevin over the Birmingham canal - this at the Mailbox.

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Environment & green action
01 Aug 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Evening stroll along the canal at Mailbox Birmingham

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Another great early evening look down the Birmingham canal from the Mailbox. This from Virginia Rounding - a great champion for Birmingham

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0 passion points
Environment & green action
01 Aug 2017 - Your Place Your Space
Gallery

Great sight at Gas Street Basin Birmingham

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Quite brilliant from Chris down by the canals in Birmingham - Rainbow caught above Gas Street Basin - wonderful sight.

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