After a very pleasant night in the shelter of the Cudworth Tunnel approach we had a late start in bright sunshine, however the wind was still like ice as we continued along the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal to Fazeley Junction which was supposed to be the end of BCN territory, how is this you may say. Well, theoretically the B&FC was independently incorporated in 1783, but it was absorbed into the BCN in 1784 and not completed until 1798. Unlike most other canals the B&F bridges (like the BCN) do not have numbers, only names but interestingly the lock keepers cottages do have BCN numbers. That is only the start of the construction complications related to this Birmingham link to the East Coast. Of which more later.
This section of the B&F Canal is pleasant but unspectacular. It runs through a mix of land under agricultural or gravel extraction works, its modern significance is as a link in a chain or two, as it forms part of both the Black Country Ring and the South Midlands Ring.
At Fazeley Junction the B&F was supposed to join the Coventry Canal, but the Coventry ran out of money, or deliberately delayed construction so that several of its shareholders would not suffer competition to the pits in Warwickshire which they also owned.
So the Trent & Mersey & the B&F built the link between their canals themselves, thus ensuring new coal trade from the North Staffordshire pits. The T&M then sold their section back to the Coventry and it is now known as the unconnected section, which can be a little confusing for those not in the know.
Some say Fazeley Junction is not as pretty as Fradley Junction but I think it may not be as photogenic but it is much more interesting.
As soon as the B&F was opened in 1789 a cotton mill was built along side the junction , followed by several chapels and then in 1883 a large five story haberdashery mill which I understand still operates.
Opposite the large mill stands the old canal junction house, it has several similarities to the Junction House on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal at Kings Norton Junct.
A left turn here brings one past Peels Wharf and the new C&RT offices which stand sentry over, what looks like a purpose built, mooring basin, I have passed this way before and always find it difficult to understand how the no mooring signs outnumber the boats even in winter when we are told by the C&RT that nobody goes boating in the winter?
We then moored just before the A5 bridge and shopped at the large Sainsburys . Fast Food and an Asda are adjacent if you prefer their fare. Good overnight mooring but it’s a bit of a walk to the shops so don’t bother unless you have to.
Poly Tunnels at Whittington
At Whittington something changes, mostly the change is imperceptible but the style of bridge isn’t and Bridge No 78 reminds one that this is the point where the T&M company took over building this part of the Coventry from the B&F company.
At Huddlesford Junction we meet the stub end of the Wyrley & Essington Canal.
The Curly Wyrley as many call it provided a northern link directly into the BCN system from the northern coal fields. Its loss was a direct result of government policy to increase the use of road transport and run down rail & canal facilities, mining subsidence and an incompetent nationalised waterway manager did not help.
But all is not lost and a dynamic restoration group is now resurrecting the link bit by bit.
Check out their web site
This troublesome swing foot bridge (it will not stay open) marks the access to Fradley Junction.
Our arrival was at lunch time on a hot spring Sunday after several days of not so good weather. It was humming. A large pub car park is located to the left of the picture so cars and motorcycles have to drive or perhaps a better word would be parade along the wide Tow Path. Pub patrons are thus entertained by both wheel and prop!
We tried to join them but gave up and turned into performers as Sue did a perfect sweeping turn into the open lock and we then dropped down the three locks so as to provide additional entertainment to the crowd. A new C&RT information centre is about to be opened between locks 17 and 18 so no doubt information on anything about canals (except boating of course) will soon be available to the masses.
The run through to Alrewas is through more open farmland until lock 13 drops you down right into the village with its 14 day moorings.