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The Wolverhampton 21 flight of locks
There are 21 locks* in the Wolverhampton flight, lowering the Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line (Wolverhampton Level) by 132 feet (40 metres) between Broad Street Basin and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal at Aldersley Junction, about one and a three quarter miles (2·8 km) to the north-west.
* Originally (c1770) there were twenty locks, the current No 21 being the original No 20 but it was a deep one, which caused difficulty and delays. In 1784 an extra lock was inserted (current No 20) and the original made into No 21, much shallower and quicker to work, and saving water. Regarding the Grade II listing, this link includes valuable details questioning its accuracy. Link
This will never be a picturesque flight which boat crews will want to navigate for enjoyment, though the five near the junction are pleasant enough. Although there is much of interest to see as the canal passes through the Black Country to Birmingham, it often takes three to four hours of slow progress to negotiate the locks, and that is a lot out of a week's trip if a boat is hired on the attractive Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, especially if it has to be done twice!
(Information from Wikipedia): The first canal to be built in the Birmingham area was the Birmingham Canal, built between 1768 and 1772 under the supervision of James Brindley from what was at the time the edge of Birmingham, with termini at Newhall Wharf (since built over) and Paradise Wharf (also known as Old Wharf) near to Gas Street Basin. This met the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.
In 1824 Thomas Telford was engaged to reroute and improve the canal. By 1838, a year after his death, the much more direct New Main Line was complete, and the 22·6 miles meandering reduced to 15·6 miles.
* Originally (c1770) there were twenty locks, the current No 21 being the original No 20 but it was a deep one, which caused difficulty and delays. In 1784 an extra lock was inserted (current No 20) and the original made into No 21, much shallower and quicker to work, and saving water. Regarding the Grade II listing, this link includes valuable details questioning its accuracy. Link
This will never be a picturesque flight which boat crews will want to navigate for enjoyment, though the five near the junction are pleasant enough. Although there is much of interest to see as the canal passes through the Black Country to Birmingham, it often takes three to four hours of slow progress to negotiate the locks, and that is a lot out of a week's trip if a boat is hired on the attractive Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal, especially if it has to be done twice!
(Information from Wikipedia): The first canal to be built in the Birmingham area was the Birmingham Canal, built between 1768 and 1772 under the supervision of James Brindley from what was at the time the edge of Birmingham, with termini at Newhall Wharf (since built over) and Paradise Wharf (also known as Old Wharf) near to Gas Street Basin. This met the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal.
In 1824 Thomas Telford was engaged to reroute and improve the canal. By 1838, a year after his death, the much more direct New Main Line was complete, and the 22·6 miles meandering reduced to 15·6 miles.
by Roger D Kidd
Created: Mon, 16 May 2022, Updated: Mon, 27 Jun 2022
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