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The original Birmingham Canal (then Birmingham Canal Navigations Main Line) had two termini, one in Newhall Hill (the Newhall branch, 1772) and one at Paradise Street (the Paradise Street Branch, 1773). The split was at Deep Cuttings Junction. The deep cuttings referred to were at Broad Street Tunnel on the Paradise Street Branch.
In 1798, the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal was built, terminating at the top of the thirteen lock Farmer's Bridge flight, and creating Farmer's Bridge Junction there with the Newhall Branch.
In 1824, Telford completed his shorter new route by cutting across many of the meanderings, including what is now the Oozells Street Loop, thus creating the Old Turn Junction, close to the existing Deep Cuttings Junction. In recent times that wider coming together of the four branches has become known collectively as Old Turn Junction on many maps and in many references.

The canal authorities at various times further confused the issue. When the Newhall Branch was closed in the early 20th century, the Farmer's Bridge Junction name was transferred to the Deep Cuttings Junction. Then in 1993 the Farmer's Bridge Junction name was discontinued completely, the preferred Old Turn Junction being adopted to cover both remaining junctions. The remaining section of the BCN Newhall Branch to the locks by Cambrian Wharf has become part of the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.

An island was installed during World War II to allow the use of temporary dams to protect the railway tunnel beneath it, should the canal be breached by bombing. This was replaced by the current smaller round one a bit further out, circa 1985.

Further details can be seen on Wikipedia, from which these notes partly originate. Link

1.10.2022

Created: Sat, 1 Oct 2022, Updated: Sat, 1 Oct 2022