Talk:Wednesbury Old Canal
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[edit] Ambiguous start
It seems that every canal and junction on the BCN has more than one name or location!
There are a number of modern sources which state that the Ridgeacre Branch starts at Ryders Green Junction (Walsall Canal)), including Nicholson Waterways Guide No 3 and the BCNS web site. This is not historically correct. The Ordnance Survey map of 1955 shows the correct layout and original canal names, at least regarding the section north of Pudding Green Junction. Telford's widening between Bromford Junction and Pudding Green Junction render another section lost.
The Wednesbury Canal has a very long history and was part of the first phase of the Birmingham Canal (the first around the Black Country or Birmingham). It was authorised as a branch of the Birmingham Canal from its inception and was delivering coal to Birmingham in 1769, even before the Birmingham had reached Wolverhampton. It started at what is now Spon Lane Junction and descended the three remaining Spon Lane locks. Its length was 4 miles 3 furlongs. It terminated at Balls Hill Basin, not far from the later Tame Valley Canal.
The Ridgacre Branch opened in 1826 and was ¾ mile in length. It ran from the Wednesbury at Swan Bridge Junction, a few metres north of the New Swan Lane / Black Country New Road roundabout. It had a number of branches to collieries.
I intend to work this into the article with a map. Oosoom Talk to me 13:11, 9 October 2007 (UTC)
