Cannock Extension Canal

The current Cannock Extension Canal is a 1.8 mile canal in England. It runs from Pelsall Junction on the Wyrley and Essington Canal, north to Norton Canes Docks and forms part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations.

It was opened to Rumer Hill Junction in 1858 and its 5⅝ mile length fully open by 1863. The 4⅛ miles north of Watling Street were abandoned in 1963. [cite book|author=Hadfield, Charles|title=Canals of the West Midlands Volume 5|publisher=David & Charles|location=Newton Abbott|origyear=1966|year=1985|isbn=0-7153-8644-1]

A connection was made to the Hatherton Canal, a branch of the Shropshire Union Canal, at Churchbridge Junction via the Churchbridge Branch, which had thirteen locks. ["Historical Map of the Birmingham Canals", Richard Dean, M. & M. Baldwin, 1989, ISBN 0-947712-08-9] [ [http://home.clara.co.uk/rod.beavon/salis3.htm Bradshaw's guide to the BCN - Locks and Tunnels] ] The Churchbridge Branch became disused around 1953 and the whole branch and Rumer Hill Junction were obliterated by opencast mining. [cite book |last= Shill|first= Ray|authorlink= |coauthors= |editor= |others= |title=The Birmingham Canal Navigations|origdate= 2002|publisher= Tempus Publishing Ltd.|isbn= 0-7524-2767-9]

Features

References

* [http://www.jim-shead.com/waterways/History3.html#BCCE Jim Shead - Cannock Extension Canal]
* [http://www.starling101.btinternet.co.uk/canals/pelsall.htm Up The Cut entry]