Images courtesy Norton Canes History Members
The canal system that ran through Norton Canes was part of the Birmingham Navigation Company and was known as the Cannock Extension and was fed from Norton Pool / Cannock Chase Reservoir / Chasewater.
To better feed the canals a dam was built to the western shore at the top end of Pool Rd which created a greater volume of water controlled from a valve house on the dam.
The higher level of water plus subsidence created Jefferies swag on the north side of the mineral railway running to the chase collieries which by now is effectively running on a causeway between the two.
The Birmingham Navigation built the Angelsey Branch canal fed from the new western dam to feed its canal system and ran via Ogley Hay down to the Catshill Junction at Brownhills joining the Daw End Branch left & Wyrley Essington Canal Right which serviced Brownhills Brewery then on to Pelsall common Friar Bridge where the Cannock Extension was joined and run through to Hednesford Basin.
A number of Collieries were served by this canal, Wyrley Grove, Conduit 1 & 2, Cathedral Pit, Jerome’s, Fair Lady via tramway, Leacroft, Mid Cannock & East Cannock via tramway, Cannock Wood & Wimblebury via mineral line into Hednesford Basin. The Cathedral Pit was important because it linked to other pits on the Brownhills common and pumped the water into the reservoir.
63 From Under Watling St Looking Towards Yates Boat Dock
63 From Under Watling St Looking Towards Yates Boat Dock
67 Looking From New Rd Bridge Towards Foredrove Bridge
67 Looking From New Rd Bridge Towards Foredrove Bridge
68 Looking From Foredrove Bridge To Railway Bridge Main Basin Branch To Right 1947
68 Looking From Foredrove Bridge To Railway Bridge Main Basin Branch To Right 1947
69 Main Basin With Corridor Basin To Colliery 1947
69 Main Basin With Corridor Basin To Colliery 1947
70 Other Side Of Railway Bridge Norton Springs Branch Left
70 Other Side Of Railway Bridge Norton Springs Branch Left
72 Canal Crossing Under Railway Bridge Between Spring Branch And Walsall Rd
72 Canal Crossing Under Railway Bridge Between Spring Branch And Walsall Rd
77 Coppice Colliery Basin Heath Hayes. Opened 1894
78 Coppice Colliery Basin Heath Hayes. Opened 1894
79 Canal On High Embankment After Kingswood Bridge Heading 4 Rumer Hill Junction
80 Canal On High Embankment After Kingswood Bridge Heading 4 Rumer Hill Junction
80 Rumer Hill Junction Left Branch To Churchbridge
81 Rumer Hill Junction Left Branch To Churchbridge
83 Churchbridge Bottom Lock With White Lion In Background
84 Churchbridge Bottom Lock With White Lion In Background