Stewart Aqueduct

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Stewart Aqueduct
Stewart Aqueduct BCN from New Main Line.jpg
The Stewart (or Steward) Aqueduct
Coordinates 52°30′21″N1°59′51″W / 52.5059°N 1.9974°W / 52.5059; -1.9974 Coordinates: 52°30′21″N1°59′51″W / 52.5059°N 1.9974°W / 52.5059; -1.9974
OS grid reference SP001898
Carries BCN Old Main Line
CrossesBCN New Main Line
Locale Smethwick
Maintained by Canal & River Trust
Heritage statusGrade II listed
Characteristics
Trough construction Brick
Pier construction Brick
Traversable?Yes
Towpaths Both
No. of spansTwo
Piers in waterOne
History
Designer Thomas Telford
Construction end1828
Location
Stewart Aqueduct

The Stewart Aqueduct (or Steward Aqueduct) in Smethwick, West Midlands (but formerly in Staffordshire), England carries the BCN Old Main Line Canal (1770) over the BCN New Main Line Canal (1828). [1] Alongside and above the New Main Line Canal is the Stour Valley section of the West Coast Main Line (1852), all three being bridged by the M5 motorway (c. 1970). [1]

The Grade II listed [2] [3] aqueduct was built by Thomas Telford in 1829 when he bypassed James Brindley's earlier Birmingham Canal (at the Wolverhampton Level) with his New Main Line (at the Birmingham Level). [2] Both canals contributed to the Industrial Revolution in the Midlands by conveying coal and raw materials to Birmingham, and finished products to the country and ports.

It is located at the edge of the former Chance's Glass Works (1824) and is close to Spon Lane Canal Junction, the point where the Wednesbury and Wolverhampton routes of the BCN Old Main Line (former Birmingham Canal) meet.

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The Spon Lane Locks Branch is an 800-yard section of the BCN Main Line canal in Oldbury, England, which forms a connecting canal "sliproad" where the Old BCN Main Line crosses the New BCN Main Line at the Stewart Aqueduct. It runs westwards from Spon Lane Junction via the three Spon Lane Locks to Bromford Junction. It was originally part of the Wednesbury branch of Birmingham Canal which opened in 1769. At the top lock, there is a rare example of a split bridge, which enabled a horse to cross the canal without being detached from the barge. The rope passed through a gap at the centre of the bridge between its two halves. However, this particular example is a modern reconstruction, dating from 1986. These are probably the oldest working locks in the country. There is pedestrian access to a tow path for its entire length, but being narrow and muddy, it is not suitable for cyclists.

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Engine Arm Aqueduct

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References

  1. 1 2 Pearson, Michael (1989). Canal Companion - Birmingham Canal Navigations. J. M. Pearson & Associates. ISBN   0-907864-49-X.
  2. 1 2 Historic England. "Steward Aqueduct  (Grade II) (1077161)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  3. Historic England. "Grade II (1077161)". National Heritage List for England . Retrieved 1 May 2009.