Stewart Aqueduct

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Stewart Aqueduct
The Stewart (or Steward) Aqueduct
Carries BCN Old Main Line
Crosses BCN New Main Line
Location Smethwick
OS grid reference SP001898
Maintained by British Waterways
Designer Thomas Telford
Trough construction Brick
Pier construction Brick
Number of spans Two
Piers in water One
Boats can pass? Yes
Towpath(s) Both
Completion date 1828
Heritage status Grade II listed
Coordinates 52°30′21″N 1°59′51″W / 52.5059°N 1.9974°W / 52.5059; -1.9974Coordinates: 52°30′21″N 1°59′51″W / 52.5059°N 1.9974°W / 52.5059; -1.9974
Motorway (M5) over railway over canal over canal
The aqueduct behind struts of motorway looking towards Birmingham

The Stewart Aqueduct (or Steward Aqueduct) in Smethwick, West Midlands (but formerly in Staffordshire), England carries the BCN Old Main Line Canal (1770) over the BCN New Main Line Canal (1828).[1] Alongside and above the New Main Line Canal is the Stour Valley section of the West Coast Main Line (1852), all three being bridged by the M5 motorway (c. 1970).[1]

The Grade II listed [2] aqueduct was built by Thomas Telford in 1829 when he bypassed James Brindley's earlier Birmingham Canal (at the Wolverhampton Level) with his New Main Line (at the Birmingham Level). Both canals contributed to the Industrial Revolution in the Midlands by conveying coal and raw materials to Birmingham, and finished products to the country and ports.

It is located at the edge of the former Chance's Glass Works (1824) and is close to Spon Lane Canal Junction, the point where the Wednesbury and Wolverhampton routes of the BCN Old Main Line (former Birmingham Canal) meet.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 Pearson, Michael (1989). Canal Companion - Birmingham Canal Navigations. J. M. Pearson & Associates. ISBN 0-907864-49-X. 
  2. Details from listed building database (219242) - Grade II. Images of England. English Heritage.
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