Bromford Junction
Bromford Junction | |
---|---|
Specifications | |
Status | Open |
Navigation authority | British Waterways |
History | |
Date completed | 1829 |
Bromford Junction | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Bromford Junction (
.History
The location of the junction was originally on the
The locks up and over the Smethwick summit caused problems with congestion and with water supply, and in the 1790s, a new cut was made at the Wolverhampton Level, which removed the need for three of the locks at both ends of the summit. This did not alleviate the problem entirely, and in 1825 the engineer Thomas Telford was commissioned to improve the main line. His canal, like others he built, cut across country in as straight a line as possible, using embankments, cuttings and tunnels where necessary to maintain a level. His new main line left the old one at Factory Locks, where three locks dropped the canal to the Birmingham Level, and followed a straight path to Pudding Green Junction, where it intersected the Wednesbury Canal. The old line of that canal between the intersection and Bromford Junction was widened and straightened, and became part of the main line, leaving a shortened Wednesbury Old Canal. To avoid the locks over Smethwick Summit, Telford built a huge cutting, up to 71 feet (22 m) deep in places, slightly to the south of the original line. The old line from the top of the remaining three locks at Spon Lane was carried over it at Stewart Aqueduct. Two junctions were created to maintain the connections, Bromford Junction at the west end of the cutting and Smethwick Junction at the east end. The bypass was opened on 18 December 1829, and when the new main line was completed, it reduced the length of James Brindley's winding contour canal by 7.5 miles (12.1 km) to 15 miles (24 km).[2][3]
Location
To the west, the canal is level for 3.3 miles (5.3 km) to the foot of Factory Locks, passing Pudding Green Junction and the Wednesbury Canal after 0.7 miles (1.1 km). To the east it is level to its terminus at Worcester Bar, a distance of 4.8 miles (7.7 km). The branch to Spon Lane Locks also heads east, running almost parallel to Telford's cut, and the bottom lock of the three is just a short distance along it.[4]
There are two
See also
- List of canal junctions in Great Britain
- List of canal aqueducts in Great Britain
- List of canal basins in Great Britain
- List of canal locks in Great Britain
- List of canal tunnels in Great Britain
Bibliography
- Cumberlidge, Jane (2009). Inland Waterways of Great Britain (8th Ed.). Imray Laurie Norie and Wilson. ISBN 978-1-84623-010-3.
- Hadfield, Charles (1985). The Canals of the West Midlands. David and Charles. ISBN 0-7153-8644-1.
- ISBN 0-00-713666-8.
- Pearson, Michael (1989). Canal Companion - Birmingham Canal Navigations. J. M. Pearson & Associates. ISBN 0-907864-49-X.
References
- ^ Nicholson 2003, pp. 24–25
- ^ Nicholson 2003, pp. 24–27
- ^ Hadfield 1985, pp. 66–67, 87
- ^ Cumberlidge 2009, pp. 76–79
- ^ Historic England. "Footbridge over Old Main Line (1077160)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ^ Historic England. "Footbridge over New Main Line (1342645)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 January 2012.
- ^ Historic England. "Bottom Lock, Spon Lane (1288230)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 28 January 2012.