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Canals of Birmingham

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We stayed a few days in Arnhem last summer. I was surprised to see the amount of spraycan graffiiti there was there, somehow I didn't expect to see any in Holland.
 
There was also a canal street off lancaster street, named after the nearby birmingham to fazely canal for wich
An act of parliament was gained in1781
The New Canal Street and Fazeley Street came about after the Digbeth Branch of this Canal was opened in 1790
The Birmingham to Fazeley Canal provided a connection with London via Coventry,and Oxford and Grand Junctions Canals
Hence Oxford Street and also Liverpool, thus Liverpool Street, In Erdington Canal Lane
also relates to the Birmingham and Fazely Canal Wharf Lane and Wharf Street Hockley
are across park road from Soho pool wharf;
and wharfdale Road Tyseley lead to a wharf on the Birmingham to Warick canal
and wharf street Aston ,off wainwright street , was close to the Birmingham and Fazeley canal ,in kings norton
Wharf Road is the continueation of Parsons Hil
And is named after a wharf on the Worcestershire to Birmingham canal,which also gives rise to Canal Side
And may i add to say there is a bonding warehouseing on fazeley street still today
I got the opportunetity to get a tour around that bonding warehouse afew years back now
and from childhood i have spen thousands and thousands of miles on our great union canal
from when i was a nipper and my young youth
best wishes , Astonian,,,,,,
 
Interesting post, Alan. The wharf at Tyseley was off Wharf Rd. which in turn was off Wharfdale Rd. Lived in Stockfield Rd. for a while just across from the turning into Wharfdale Rd.
 
Most Sundays in the late 60s I'd take our dog Butch for a walk from Tavistock Rd, Acocks Green, down to the Richmond Rd towpath access to the Grand Union canal. From there we'd walk the towpath to Knowle and beyond before sitting down for a rest and starting the walk back. We both used to love those walks. I used to regularly fish the Grand Union around the Richmond Rd area too. Another favourite fishing haunt was the Stratford-Upon-Avon canal just along from the Warstock Lane bridge. I remember well those sunny days, watching my fishing float on the dark green surface of the canal looking so peaceful as evening drew on, and the Beatles song Eleanor Rigby, which was out then. Good times.

Regards, Ray T
 
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I Have spent literally hundred's of hours over the last 30 years sketching and painting Birmingham's canals. My 2 favourite spots being Gas St basin (until the 'yuppy' apartments were built) and Cambrian Wharf. I have sold 32 painting of the canals including 6 of Gas St basin over the years. Also Knowle locks and canals in the Tipton area. Still water is such a peaceful and tranquil subject. Eric
 
My memory of the Stratford canal (1948 - 1953) was that there were many places rod and line fishermen were to be found. More were seen closer to the city (Yardley Wood towards Kings Norton) and were often startled or annoyed by young folks, such as me, cycling along the towpath. South, beyond Shirley, the canal seemed less accessible and there were fewer fishermen - many finding refuge at Earlswood Lakes.
As the canal, at that time was in a very unnavigable condition, fishing was a pleasant pastime I guess.
I was, some years ago, encouraged to have a go at river bank fishing. I tried the lower part of the River Dart at Totnes - this was free, south of the weir, above it was a very private and costly place. :eek: I found it a most frustrating experience due to the frequent passing vessels and small boats. I soon gave up and took up other interests. :D
 
Astonian said:
There was also a canal street off lancaster street, named after the nearby birmingham to fazely canal for wich
An act of parliament was gained in1781
The New Canal Street and Fazeley Street came about after the Digbeth Branch of this Canal was opened in 1790
The Birmingham to Fazeley Canal provided a connection with London via Coventry,and Oxford and Grand Junctions Canals
Hence Oxford Street and also Liverpool, thus Liverpool Street, In Erdington Canal Lane
also relates to the Birmingham and Fazely Canal Wharf Lane and Wharf Street Hockley
are across park road from Soho pool wharf;
and wharfdale Road Tyseley lead to a wharf on the Birmingham to Warick canal
and wharf street Aston ,off wainwright street , was close to the Birmingham and Fazeley canal ,in kings norton
Wharf Road is the continueation of Parsons Hil
And is named after a wharf on the Worcestershire to Birmingham canal,which also gives rise to Canal Side
And may i add to say there is a bonding warehouseing on fazeley street still today
I got the opportunetity to get a tour around that bonding warehouse afew years back now
and from childhood i have spen thousands and thousands of miles on our great union canal
from when i was a nipper and my young youth
best wishes , Astonian,,,,,,
Click to expand...
Astonian. Thanks for years I wondered why there was a Liverpool Street near the centre of Birmingham, Canal Street/road and Wharf road made sense......near the canal, but Liverpool Street...thanks again
Bob D
 
Onceabrummie said:
Astonian. Thanks for years I wondered why there was a Liverpool Street near the centre of Birmingham, Canal Street/road and Wharf road made sense......near the canal, but Liverpool Street...thanks again
Bob D
Click to expand...
Hi,
I do not understand this. Are you saying that there is a canal connection between Birmingham and Liverpool?
Old Boy
 
Ray T said:
Most Sundays in the late 60s I'd take our dog Butch for a walk from Tavistock Rd, Acocks Green, down to the Richmond Rd towpath access to the Grand Union canal. From there we'd walk the towpath to Knowle and beyond before sitting down for a rest and starting the walk back. We both used to love those walks. I used to regularly fish the Grand Union around the Richmond Rd area too. Another favourite fishing haunt was the Stratford-Upon-Avon canal just along from the Warstock Lane bridge. I remember from those sunny days, watching my fishing float on the dark green surface of the canal looking so peaceful as evening drew on, and the Beatles song Eleanor Rigby, which was out then. Good times.

Regards, Ray T
Click to expand...

Having been forbidden from playing by the canal, we used to haunt the area you mention, Ray.
Heaven help the kid who hadn't got the bottle to walk across the sewer pipe that crossed the canal, next to the bridge !
 
There is a connection with Liverpool, but it is not one canal, you have to go via several that are joined
 
There is no direct Birmingham to Liverpool canal link. The canals that leave Birmingham and the Midlands, the Shropshire Union and Trent and Mersey, both lead to the River Mersey and thence to Liverpool.
Thee name Liverpool Street, referred to in the post by Astonian may well come from the Birmingham and Liverpool Canal Co. which was set up in the mid 19th. century. They did ship to Liverpool from the City.
 
HI elbrown
just been trawling through the canal threads ,and i came to the photographs you have taken
and i have to congratulate you on such terific shots you have taken I was taken back on the old
Gas street basin, when i seen the picture of transformation you have captured and displayed
I have never seen before ,
the last time i was down the old gas basin it was in the 1956 whem me and my friends
Used to trek the water ways most days of the week and specialy sundays, where the white building
Is standing on the tow pathe was the little tiny boat men and famiys living in them
and they would be sitting out side them they was very friendly to us and always chatted to us
and there kettles and jugs out side the door was brilliently decorated items
and the basin was choco block with the coal barges all neatly bound in line
stretching all acros the basin and i mean across the basin
and i can tell you in those days to walk under and through the tunnel to the other end
and to come out to the houses was completely black and i mean black
as you was close to the cut , water, you could just about see it, the railing have always been there
to stop you falling in and us lads had to walk single file in a line you could not see your hand in front of you
and you had to bend your head walking through it ,it looks like they have openend it up
to get day light shinning through,
many time we have encountered the big shire horse tramping along behind us
and nearly got tramped on by charlie the big grey shire horse
on the last encounters with charlie we ventured up to the stables yard at smethwick end
and charlie was standing around the yard and just moving abit then he seen a gang of kids walking up the yard
it was on a slope and then he seen us and he run at us we al panicked
we had just cleared the yard entrance and on the tow pathe he was still coming after us
luckily the boatman clocked it and he came running after charlie and stopped him
and took him back
once again thanks for the photographs and thanks for the memory,best wishes Alan,,Astonian,,,,,,
 
My canal memories are solely of the rural Stratford, Staffs & Worcs, and Grand Union canals. I wish I had been able to spend time on the BCN, savouring its industries and infrastructures. Sadly, for me, the industrial BCN was not considered a suitable place for a young impressionable lad to spend his time. I had a relative who was a Number 1, owning six boats and horses and he, I am sure, would have had much of canal interest to talk about. I did manage a few trips to the BCN eventually but plainly not enough.
In later years, after I left Warwickshire (1954), I spent six weeks in the Potteries before moving to Devon to join my family. Being a free agent, so as to speak, I was able to look in depth at the Trent & Mersey and Caldon canals and find much interest on the industries that were in the North Staffordshire area. These were, of course, the pot banks (pottery factories), coal mines, steel works and quarrying all of which were quite fascinating to someone from a rural environment. It was a six week period if intense and enjoyable interest.
 
No problem Alan / Astonian!


I was on the Regents Canal in Camden, London on Monday (small section of it). Also had a look at Camden Locks (near Camden Market). Very impressive area in Camden Town!

Some photos my visit to Camden from 28/11/2016.

This was from St Pancras Way.





Royal College Street



Camden Road

 
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Birmingham Canals have a long established history beginning in 1769 when the first section was opened. It is often said that the original Birmingham Canal was built by James Brindley, the engineer. Brindley was responsible for the survey and he directed the work with the help of assistant engineers and the clerk of works. Yet his plan was not followed completely. In fact the bulk of the canal route plus over 6 additional miles came about as his assistants had to plan and adapt to changing requirements once it was found that the Smethwick Tunnel could not be completed. In effect the line was diverted along the majority of the route. It is difficult to assign the credit to these deviations to Brindley and credit is best given to Samuel Simcox. Similarly Smeaton had credit for later improvements where in reality his suggestions were generally confined to improved water supply and the work for reducing the Smethwick Summit 1788-1791 was left in the hands of BCN engineers. Subsequent improvements are best credited to Thomas Telford and James Walker. In the latter case Mr Walker is often forgotten for his work on the Tame Valley, Netherton Tunnel, Rushall Canal, the Bentley Canal, Walsall Locks and the Cannock Extension Canal
 
Some new photos of the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal from Richard Street, taken a few days ago.

Part of the Aston Flight of locks.

The direction towards the city centre.





Towards Aston.







I need to walk this section of canal in the future. Was going between two of the Heartlands Gateway sculptures so wasn't going to go onto the canal towpath this time round.
 
Many years ago, late 70's on into the late 90's I spent many happy hours painting/sketching the Canals, all the way from 'spaghetti junction', to Edmund Street, Gas Street Basin, Cambrian Wharf etc... How they have changed, cleaner, tidier, new tow paths, old buildings demolished, new yuppie apartments - but nowhere near as 'paintable', ah well that's progress I suppose. Eric
 
cookie273uk said:
Many years ago, late 70's on into the late 90's I spent many happy hours painting/sketching the Canals, all the way from 'spaghetti junction', to Edmund Street, Gas Street Basin, Cambrian Wharf etc... How they have changed, cleaner, tidier, new tow paths, old buildings demolished, new yuppie apartments - but nowhere near as 'paintable', ah well that's progress I suppose. Eric
Click to expand...

I too spent many an happy hour on that canal in the 70's too. It was certainly looking run down, but very interesting all the same.
 
Gas St basin (1).jpg Sorry Mike, made a right Pigs Ear and tried to cancel it, only partly succeeded. I was commenting on Carolinas post (#771) stating that I have painted that particular view numerous times and try to upload an example, here we go againGas St basin (3).JPG Gas St basin (4).JPG
 
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carolina said:
Gas Street View attachment 110510
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That's how I remember Gas Street. In 1966 I sat on a barge there, and some guy took a photo of me. Not many boats using the canal in those days. We were on our way to Tardebigge, to the dry dock there.

The building in the background on the right with the three chimneys is interesting, I have a feeling it was a school.
 
Hi ellbrown,
Just noticed your post 764 with photos of the Regent's canal. Were there any herons there when you went? We paid a visit to Regent's Park just before Christmas a few years ago and there were literally dozen's sitting in the trees and on the bank. They weren't fazed by the people - just sat there! Very weird.
 
No I don't think so. Just the usual ducks and geese (was only on a short section of it).

I did see a coot though.



The canal had the same amount of litter and graffiti in it that you would find in the canals here in Birmingham.

The area about Camden Lock was more clean looking.
 
Thanks ellbrown, I didn't have my camera or phone with me at the time. I'll have to try to find out if it's a regular occurrence.
 
Which section was it that you were on?

Earlier this year saw a heron on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal in Stirchley.

 
Morturn
I think the building you refer to on Carolina's photograph was originally part of the old brewery behind the Crown pub , possibly originally the malthouse. In the 1960s I think that part had been converted into a cold storage facility
 
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