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Walsall Canal

The Walsall Canal runs from Ryders Green Junction on the Wednesbury Old Canal to Birchills Junction on the Wyrley & Essington Canal.

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Facts & Stats

8 miles

(12.87km)

The length of the Walsall Canal that is navigable.

16 locks

1785

What we now know as the Walsall Canal was built in several stages between 1785 and 1841.

From Ryders Green Junction to the Wyrley & Essington Canal. 

The Walsall Canal was at the core of the Birmingham Canal Navigations and as well as developing many links to adjoining canals it also had a large number of short branches to collieries and ironworks, most of which have now disappeared.  The Walsall Canal runs through the industrial centre of the Black Country and with the refurbishment of Walsall Town Basin from where visitors can visit the local Art Gallery and birthplace of Jerome K Jerome, new life is being breathed into the waterway.  The canal corridor is looking increasingly green as the surrounding land becomes redeveloped and the remains of Britain’s pioneering manufacturing industries are historically interesting.

The Wednesbury Old Canal forms the link from the Birmingham Canal at Pudding Green Junction to the top of the 8 Ryders Green Locks which descend from the ‘Birmingham level’ to the ‘Walsall level’ at Great Bridge.  

Just after the short Ocker Hill Tunnel Branch, now used for moorings, the Tame Valley Canal joins at Tame Valley (or Doe Bank) Junction, providing a through route to the Rushall and Birmingham & Fazeley canals.  

The short Bradley Branch is now barely navigable but is under restoration and further on the remains of the Anson Branch have been closed off. 

 

Reference to a detailed map is needed to understand the complicated history and geography of the Walsall Canal and all its connections but in summary the main branches and connections from south to north, with their opening dates where known, were:

  • Haines Branch 1833;
  • Danks Branch;
  • Tipton Green and Toll End Communication 1809;
  • Ocker Hill Tunnel Branch 1805;
  • Tame Valley Canal 1844;
  • Gospel Oak Branch 1800;
  • Monway Arm 1813;
  • Bradley Branch 1818 and Bradley Hall Extension 1849;
  • Broadwaters Arm 1786;
  • Bilston Branch;
  • Willenhall 1803;
  • Anson Branch 1830.

Waterway notes

Maximum boat sizes

  • Length: 70′ 11″ (21.62 metres)
  • Beam: 7′ 4″ (2.24 metres)
  • Height: 7′ 5″ (2.26 metres)
  • Draught: 4′ 4″ (1.32 metres)

Navigation authority

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

Local activities