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| The Cannock Extension
canal was opened in 1863 and is about 5 miles in length and was the last
narrow gauge canal to be built.This canal is lockless and now terminates
along side the A5 (Watling Street) at Norton Canes. It was constructed to
tap the Cannock coalfield and originally terminated at Hednesford. At Bridgetown
there was Rummer Hill Junction where the Hatherton Branch canal (c1860)
linked the Cannock Ext. to the Staffs &
Worcester canal. Here we had a flight of thirteen locks known as Churchbridge
locks. In its day the Cannock Ext. canal and Pelsall juction were full of
boat activity coming and going from Brownhills and Walsall. It is said a
water bore was created with the the vast amount of boat movement.(in the
region of 50 at a time) |
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| Above: Friar
bridge and some BCN buildings On the right are some original stables where
the horses were rested. |
Above:Pelsall
Bridge. One of many Horsley Iron Works bridge constructions which are a
common site throughout the canal network. |
| It is well worth
a walk along the Cannock Ext. canal.There are
many things which catch the eye and send you back in time to those days
when the coal boats were hauled in their hundreds along this stretch of
canal. It still maintains a sense of commercial awareness.The old blue engineering
bricks manufactured locally at Aldridge and Walsall Wood still line the
route and the old BCN fencing posts and heavy duty name plates on the bridges
are still in place. |
| Right:
A boat builders still in business today is situated at the end of the canal.
There are some well maintained narrow boats moored here which makes the
visit all the more interesting |
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Pelsall Junction |
Above:
Pelsall junction. The Cannock Extension canal is leading off to the left
with the Wyrley & Essington canal passing straight on towards Wolverhampton
where it eventually meets up with the Birmingham Main Line canal at Horseley
Fields Junction.
Completed in 1797, the Wyrley
& Essington canal was one of the first to be built in Walsall. The
obvious difference between this and later waterways is the absence of
locks. It is a contour canal following the contours of the land. This
particular canal, which winds its way through much of the Borough, gained
the nickname of The "Curley Wyrley".
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| BCN buildings (No's 211 &
212) on the Cannock Ext.canal with the old stable buildings on the left. |
Another shot from Friars
bridge of the BCN stables |
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| Above:
A couple of pictures showing the canal in July. This canal is not very busy
with traffic but on this occasion there was a fair bit of movement. It is
worth mentioning that at the end of this canal is a small farm shop which
sells a wide range of quality fruit and veg. |
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