The Wyrley and Essington Canal (and links)

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Warning! - The following access details were correct at the time of my walk - but may have now changed.

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---- view more photos in my flickr albums Wyrley and Essington Canal and Hatherton Canal ----

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Virtual Walks-7 Pelsall Junction to Lord Hayes Branch (Jan 2014 onward)
Wyrley and Essington Canal

and

Onward along the Hatherton Canal (under restoration) to its Junction of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal

Visit the Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust web site to find out about the Trust that was formed in 1988 and is a registered charity. It campaigns for the restoration of the "Lichfield Canal" (as the closed section of the W&E between Ogley and Huddlesford is now called) and also the Hatherton Canal through the Cannock / A5 area. It promotes the restoration as public amenities for boating, angling, walking, cycling etc. and raises funds to carry out physical restoration work.
Distance is for the original canal measured from Wolverhampton. Miles and furlongs - don't have a clue? Those were the measurements when the canals were built. In metric a mile is 1.61 kilometres. A furlong is an eigth of a mile or 200 metres.

The other distances are from Hatherton Junction used for the route when restored and realigned in places by LHCRT.

Friar Bridge - at the start of Cannock Extension branch.

Taken looking North from Pelsall Junction - 17/1/2014.

Access from Pelsall North Common.
Access from Pelsall via Nest Common and over the footbridge out of shot on the right.

The sign indicates what was the plan for connecting a restored Hatherton Branch Canal to the W&E.
Due to various problems the LHCRT now plan that a connection to the W&E will be a little farther along the route to Wolverhampton.

Location - https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.63838&mlon=-1.97263#map=18/52.63838/-1.97263

W270 - Pelsall Junction - 12 miles 7¼ furlongs from Horseley Fields Junction, Wolverhampton.

Taken looking North from Pelsall Junction - 17/1/2014.

Access from Pelsall North Common and the Cannock Extension branch via footbridge.
Access from Pelsall via Nest Common.

Left onward towards Wolverhampton and the Lord Hayes Branch
Straight ahead over the footbridge to the Cannock Extension branch. ( See Virtual Walks-6 ).
Right to Brownhills and Catshill Junction. ( See Virtual Walks-3 )

12 miles and 7¼ furlongs from Horseley Fields Junction
Location - https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.63765&mlon=-1.97264#map=18/52.63765/-1.97263

W280 - Pelsall Works Bridge
12 miles 4¼ furlongs from Horseley Fields Junction, Wolverhampton.
Location - https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.63667&mlon=-1.97988#map=18/52.63668/-1.97988

Taken looking West - 17/1/2014.
Access from Pelsall via Wood Lane and Nest Common (on the left).
Access from Pelsall North Common (on the right).

The bridge is dated "1824"

NOTE - the sign on the other side of the bridge reads -
"PELSALL WORKS"

Taken looking West - 17/1/2014.

The plaque from the Pelsall Millenium - 1994

Taken looking West - 17/1/2014.

W290/H020 - Fishley Junction of the Wyrley and Essington Canal with the Lord Hayes (or Hay's) Branch -
12 miles ¾ furlong from Horseley Fields Junction, Wolverhampton.
also
7 miles from Hatherton Junction

Location - https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.63619&mlon=-1.98886#map=18/52.63619/-1.98886

The turn into the (currently infilled) Lord Hayes Branch is on the right of the photo.

Taken looking SouthWest - 17/1/2014.

The plan for connecting a restored Hatherton Branch Canal to the W&E was to be via the Cannock Extension branch. ( See Virtual Walks-6 ).
Due to various problems the LHCRT now plan that a connection to the W&E will be here via the Lord Hayes Branch.

W300/H010 - Fishley Junction Bridge (Fishley Roving Bridge)-
12 miles ½ furlong from Horseley Fields Junction, Wolverhampton.
Location - https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.63580&mlon=-1.98887#map=18/52.63580/-1.98887

Taken looking SouthWest - 17/1/2014.

Access to the (currently infilled) Lord Hayes Branch (to the right of the photo) via the footbridge.

W290/H020Fishley Junction to the closed Lord Hayes (or Hay's) Branch Canal -
12 miles ¾ furlong from Horseley Fields Junction, Wolverhampton.
also
7 miles from Hatherton Junction

https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.63619&mlon=-1.98886#map=18/52.63619/-1.98886

Taken looking NorthWest - 17/1/2014.

Access to the (currently infilled) Lord Hayes Branch via the footbridge (out of shot to the left of the photo).

A footpath follows the line of the canal.

The Lichfield & Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust campaigns for the restoration of the Hatherton Canal from the Wyrley and Essington, through the Cannock / A5 area to meet the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal at Hatherton Junction, Calf Heath. It promotes the restoration as public amenities for boating, angling, walking, cycling etc. and raises funds to carry out physical restoration work.
Warning! - This route has been long derelict. Remember that this route should not be thought of as a public right of way.
Most importantly,
note that breaking a leg in the middle of nowhere is hazardous to health.
Fishley No. 1 Bridge - ¾ furlong from Fishley Junction

Location - https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.63655&mlon=-1.99115#map=18/52.63655/-1.99115

Taken looking NorthEast - 17/1/2014.
POOR access
via Fishley Lane (do not fall into the pond!) to the right of the photo.

Lords Hayes Branch/Hatherton Canal Junction - ¾ furlong farther on from Fishley No. 1 Bridge

Taken looking NorthWest from Fishley No. 1 Bridge - 17/1/2014.

Although overgrown the line of the canal is still traceable.

After another ¾ furlong farther on from Fishley No. 1 Bridge a new section of canal will be cut on the right bank of the Lords Hayes Branch leading eventually to Hatherton Junction at Calf Heath on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal. The outline of the expected work is detailed below ...

 

HATHERTON CANAL - NEW SECTION

A large part of the next section of the canal will be new cut due to infilling, housing, industrial development and the M6 & M6 Toll motorways. The line should take the following route........

Warning! - Some of this route has been long derelict. Remember that this route should not be thought of as a public right of way.
Most importantly,
note that breaking a leg in the middle of nowhere is hazardous to health.
Collery Lock (Lock 17)
Golfer's Lock (Lock 16)- (near Cadman's Lane)
Washbrook Lock (Lock 15) - (near Cadman's Lane)
Cadman's Lock (Lock 14) - (near Cadman's Lane)
Pylon Lock (Lock 13) - (near Cadman's Lane)
Dark Lane Lock (Lock 12)
Gorsey Lane Bridge - (Gains Lane/Gorsey Lane)
Lift Bridge (Near Gains Lane)
Lift Bridge (Farm Track)
Gains Lock (Lock 11)
Holford Lock (Lock 10)
Lift Bridge (Holford)
Watling Street Lock (Lock 9)
Watling Street Tunnel
Lift Bridge (near A5)
Streetway Lock (Lock 8)
Lift Bridge
David Suchet Tunnel (A5/A34 roundabout)
Churchbridge Lock (Lock 7)
Walsall Road Culvert - For emergency access to the M6 Toll
Railway Tunnel
Resevoir Lock (Lock 6)
M6 Toll Tunnel
Walkmill Lane Bridge
Severn Trent Water Pipe Crossing
H300/CB340 Lock 5 - Joveys Lock - 8ft. 10in. (2.7m)
2 miles and 3¾ furlongs or 2m 669yd from Hatherton Junction
(use pointer ---- 52.6766, -2.0450 in
https://www.google.co.uk/maps )
H310/CB350 Lock 4 - Wedges Mill Lock - 8ft. 6in. (2.6m)
2 miles and 1½ furlongs or 2m 299yd or 3.49km from Hatherton Junction
(Use pointer ---- 52.6781, -2.0495in https://www.google.co.uk/maps )

At the site of Wedges Mill Bridge crossing the A4601 Wolverhampton Road.

Looking east at the back of the Linkway Retail Park.

Lock 4 - Wedges Mill Lock to take the canal down under the bridge would have been over the photographer's right shoulder.

The line of the canal back to Churchbridge would have followed the footprint of the building to the right.

Taken looking east from the A4601 Wolverhampton Road - 18/2/2016.
------ (More Photos in my Flickr album - Churchbridge Branch Canal)

H320/CB360 Bridge 9 - Wedges Mill Bridge
2 miles and 1¼ furlongs or 2m 246yd or 3.44km from Hatherton Junction
(Use pointer ---- 52.6781, -2.0498in https://www.google.co.uk/maps )
https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67820&mlon=-2.04983#map=17/52.67819/-2.04984

Wedges Mill Bridge under the A4601 Wolverhampton Road.

Taken looking north along the A4601 Wolverhampton Road towards the A5 - 18/2/2016.
------ (More Photos in my Flickr album - Churchbridge Branch Canal)

 

The next section follows the original line and access to the towpath is available from here (Roman Way) to Scrawpers End Bridge, Oak Lane.

Taken looking West toward Hatherton Junction - 21/3/2015.
------ (More Photos in my Flickr album - Hatherton Canal)

H330 Cherry Tree Bridge (Bridge No. 8)

2 miles or 1m 1690yd or 3.15km from Hatherton Junction.

https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67878&mlon=-2.05398#map=17/52.67878/-2.05397

Access (for pedestrians ONLY) via the Roman Way Hotel on the A5 West of Cannock.

Taken looking East back toward Churchbridge - 21/3/2015.
------ (More Photos in my Flickr album - Hatherton Canal)

H340 Meadow Lock (Lock 3)

1 mile and 4¾ furlongs or 1m 1197yd or 2.7km from Hatherton Junction.

Looking west
https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67926&mlon=-2.06059#map=18/52.67926/-2.06059

H350 Bridge No 7 (demolished) - Bridge narrows will remain.

1 mile and 4¼ furlongs or 1m 880yd or 2.41km from Hatherton Junction.

Looking west
https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67954&mlon=-2.06417#map=18/52.67954/-2.06417

H360 Catch Bridge or Cats Bridge - (Catsbridge Lane)

1 mile and 3 furlongs or 1m 634yd or 2.19km from Hatherton Junction.

Looking west
https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67978&mlon=-2.06817#map=18/52.67978/-2.06818

H370 Cross Bridge (Four Crosses Lane)

1 mile and 1 furlong or 0m 1494yd or 1.37km from Hatherton Junction.

Looking west
https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67933&mlon=-2.07447#map=17/52.67933/-2.07447

H380 Saredon Mill Bridge

7 furlongs or 1m 158yd or 1.75km from Hatherton Junction.

Looking west
https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67817&mlon=-2.07982#map=17/52.67817/-2.07981

Taken looking SouthWest toward Hatherton Junction - 21/3/2015.
------ (More Photos in my Flickr album - Hatherton Canal)

H390 Scrawpers End Bridge (Bridge No. 3)

5¼ furlongs or 0m 1151yd or 1.05km from Hatherton Junction.

Access from Oak Lane
and along the towpath from the East.

NOTE low headroom under the bridge!

Looking west
https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67861&mlon=-2.08431#map=17/52.67861/-2.08431

A feeder channel runs to the Gailey reservoirs.

Taken looking NorthWest just before Scrawpers End Bridge - 21/3/2015.
------ (More Photos in my Flickr album - Hatherton Canal)

 

The final section follows the original line to Hatherton Junction.
H400 M6 Tunnel (north-east end)

4furlongs or 0m 864yd or 0.79km from Hatherton Junction.

Looking west
https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67757&mlon=-2.08771#map=17/52.67757/-2.08771

H410 M6 Tunnel (south-west end)    
Dog Lock - (New Lock 2)
H430 Dog Bridge (Bridge No. 2)

Site of Dog Bridge that took Straight Mile over the canal.

The original canal channel to Hatherton Junction (still in water) is arrowed.

3¼ furlongs or 0m 720yd or 0.66km from Hatherton Junction.

Looking west
https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67690&mlon=-2.08955#map=17/52.67690/-2.08955

H440 Calf Heath Locks (lock 2) - Lock to be used as narrows with no drop

1½ furlongs or 0m 344yd or 0.31km from Hatherton Junction.

Location - https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67544&mlon=-2.09410#map=17/52.67544/-2.09411

Photo to the left from 9 September 2015 (looking north-east)

Photo to the right from 28 September 1982 (looking south-west)

H450 Calf Heath Locks (lock 1)

¾ furlongs or 0m 158yd or 0.14km from Hatherton Junction.

Taken from Junction Bridge, Kings Road - looking east.
https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67498&mlon=-2.09632#map=17/52.67499/-2.09631

H460 Junction Bridge, Kings Road (Bridge No. 1)

½ furlongs or 0m 88yd or 0.08km from Hatherton Junction.

Looking north-east
https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67477&mlon=-2.09721#map=17/52.67477/-2.09721

H470 Hatherton Junction - Junction of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal and the Hatherton Canal (under restoration)

To the left is the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to Gailey and onward.

In the center is the Hatherton Canal.

To the right is the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal to Autherley and onward (under Calf Heath Marina Bridge).

location - https://www.openstreetmap.org/?mlat=52.67432&mlon=-2.09806#map=17/52.67432/-2.09805

 

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