Gower Branch Canal

The Gower Branch Canal is a half-mile canal at Tividale in England, linking Albion Junction on the Birmingham Level (453 feet above sea) of the Birmingham Canal Navigations, and Brades Hall Junction (sometimes written Bradeshall Junction^[1]) on the BCN's older Wolverhampton (473 ft) level, via three locks, the Brades Locks, at the Southern, Brades Hall end.

Gower Branch Canal
Gower Branch Canal viewed from Albion Junction
Specifications
Locks	3
Status	Navigable
History
Date of act	1768
Geography
Connects to	BCN Old Main Line Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal

v t e Gower Branch Canal in relation to BCN Main Lines
Legend
Tipton (top) to Smethwick(bottom)
Birmingham Canal Navigations Old Main Line New Main Line Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal Gower Branch Bradeshall Junction Albion Junction Old Main Line New Main Line Birmingham Canal Navigations

Signpost at Albion Junction for Brades Hall Junction.

Top staircase lock and Brades Hall Junction (behind the iron bridge)

Brades (staircase) locks, photographed from the bridge

It has a towpath on its eastern side and is crossed by only one road, the A457, just north of the middle lock. The branch is suitable for narrowboats of up to 70 foot length and 7 foot beam.

It facilitated travel between the Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal and the BCN Old Main Line, without the need for a long detour to Tipton or Smethwick and back.

History

The branch was authorised by the Birmingham Canal Navigation Act 1768 (8 Geo. 3. c. 38), but was not completed until 1836.

Features

Point	Coordinates (Links to map resources)	OS Grid Ref	Notes
Albion Junction	52.5177°N 2.0292°W / 52.5177; -2.0292 (Albion Junction)	SO981911	BCN New Main Line (Island Line)
Mid point	52.5142°N 2.0311°W / 52.5142; -2.0311 (Mid point)	SO978907
Single lock	52.5127°N 2.0319°W / 52.5127; -2.0319 (Single lock)	SO978905
A457 bridge	52.5115°N 2.0328°W / 52.5115; -2.0328 (A457 bridge)	SO977904	Dudley Road East
Staircase lock	52.5112°N 2.033°W / 52.5112; -2.033 (Staircase lock)	SO977904
Brades Hall Junction	52.5106°N 2.0334°W / 52.5106; -2.0334 (Brades Hall Junction)	SO978903	BCN Old Main Line

Photographs

• 
  Looking up Brades Lock.
• 
  Middle section of Brades Lock.
• 
  Looking down Brades Lock from the junction bridge.
• 
  The instructions for using a staircase lock.
• 
  The lower lock gate of Brades Lock showing the bridge sign.
• 
  New Mainline Canal at Albion Junction.

See also

• United Kingdom portal
• Transport portal

• Canals of the United Kingdom
• History of the British canal system