As soon as you leave the junction you are immediately confronted by the six locks which elevate you to the highest level on the BCN, being no less than 511 feet above sea level.The flight is named "Oldbury Locks", although the working boatmen knew them as "The Crow", relating to James Crow, who owned and oversaw the operation of an alkali and phospherous works adjacent to the flight. (I suspect that the existance of a chemical works beside the canal to this day is more than a coincidence..ed.) Between locks 3 and 4 the blocked off entrance to the arm (opened around 1837) into Mr. Crow's former works can still be seen to this day, but the rest of it has been completely obliterated. In spite of this, the whole flight can be described as quite handsome. There is a lock cottage, fully restored locks containing traditional paddle gear and gates with wooden beams. Next to locks 2, 3, 4 and 5 there are well maintained side ponds (although during recent observations considerable duck-weed presence has been noted). The complete flight of all six locks covers a distance of only just over 400 yds in all. Next to the top lock stands a pumping station, at the moment in the final stages of restoration by British Waterways. Originally this building housed a steam driven water pump, sadly long gone, an electric pump is to be installed to ensure the maintenance of water levels throughout the whole lock fight and top pound. This building is a must to visit, the restoration work is superb..
A bridge carrying Tat Bank Road crosses the middle of the flight, with a second bridge just below the top lock carrying Engine Street, although the latter can only be described as a roughly made-up roadway. Just above the top lock the unnavigable Tat Bank Branch heads off for about half a mile to the north-east skirting the opposite side of the pump house site. It was originally dug to be a feeder to Rotten Park Resevoir when the improvements of 1858 were undertaken. It was sometimes known by the old boatmen as the Spon Lane branch, but should not be confused with the Spon Lane Arm and locks on the main line. Although at this time unnavigable, it is in water, and
I understand that plans are afoot to restore the branch, possibly with permanent moorings etc. After the top lock the Titford Canal runs South and then gently curves South West surrounded by industrial buildings, past Langley park on the right, and Langley forge which still operates and
thunders as you pass by. Next is Uncle Ben's bridge carrying Langley High Street (if anyone knows how it got it's name please contact this site) and about 500 yds further on, just after the New Navigation Inn (good beer and food here) the canal bends round again to head North-West, immediately
arriving at a junction. The Causeway Green branch heads off under the M5 motorway and then on to Griffin Industrial estate. The building of the motorway has completely obliterated most of the arm, but it can still be seen near Swan Bridge on the nearby Titford Lane. The main line (known
as the Portway Branch) continues on for about 400 yds, passing under the motorway and arriving at Titford Pools, where it widens out into a very large pond and is effectively the end of the
canal. Originally the canal went much further than this to Churchbridge Colliery. Numerous other pits were connected via a tramway, and several brickworks stood by and close to the canal. Sadly, all trace of this extensive industrial network has vanished without trace. At the time of writing,
British Waterways are carrying out a feasability study entitled "The Titford Project". Contact BW for full details, but it looks as if it could be a very worthwhile and welcome phase in the history of this sadly little used hidden gem.
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The following is an extract from the Titford 150th Anniversary Rally Guide (1987) by Ian Langford.
" An Iron Plate proclaims that the next bridge is Uncle Ben's, but it gives no clue as to the identity of Uncle Ben, nor of his association with the canal".
He was in fact a farrier, but shoeing horses for the gentry rather than the canal carriers.
The smithy was on a "County Road", one of the major roads of the day, and this is why a relatively minor road over Uncle Ben's bridge was classified by the Ministry of Transport.
What Benjamin did to justify immortality in a bridge name is still a mystery. Iron Plates of this style bearing the names of bridges were commonplace on the BCN not so long ago. It is therefore encouraging that this was done when Uncle Ben's Bridge was reconstructed between the wars.
The above information has been researched by Liz Green who lives near the Wolverhampton Road at Oldbury. Liz is hoping that either the 1881 or 1901 British Census information of Oldbury and the surrounding area will throw up a few possible candidates for a surname and job description match.
So far Liz has found 7 Blacksmiths, 3 Horsenail makers, a Horse Driver and 2 Ostlers in 1881. So watch this space!
The "Up The Cut" team would like to thank Liz Green for her help and research in connection with the mystery of Uncle Ben's Bridge.
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