On 17th April, 1794 an Act of Parliament was Passed
to allow the work to begin and in 1799 the Walsall
Branch of the Birmingham Canal Navigation opened from
Walsall to Moxley, which was used as a base for the many
navvies that were involved in the work. The locals far
from welcomed them except for the publicans and beer
sellers. One of the larger features is James Bridge
aqueduct which carries the canal over Bentley Mill Way
and the River Tame. This was completed in 1799 and is
now a listed building. The Walsall Branch, the first
through route between Walsall and the Birmingham main
line was completed in 1809.
The second Darlaston canal, the Anson Branch, opened
in 1830 to serve the coal mines and the limestone quarry
at Bentley. The Birmingham Canal Company became the BCN
and in 1841 an extension was built between the Walsall
Canal and the Wyrley and Essington Canal. The third
Darlaston canal, the Bentley Canal, running for 3 miles
from the Anson Branch to Wednesfield also opened. |

The Walsall Canal at Moxley. |