Page updated 18 October 2004 

The BCN Main Line

General

Managers Phone N97#2p30#3p18

The Manager's phone number is now 0121-506-1300.

Anti-Vandal Keys N97#2p30 N2k#2p30

Add to the blue panel:  Currently a BW T-shaped anti-vandal key (aka Water Conservation Key or Handcuff Key) is needed for Wolverhampton Locks.  Other Lock flights on the BCN are under review for similar treatment.

Wednesbury Oak Loop N97#2p50

The heading "The Wednesday Oak Loop" should read "The Wednesbury Oak Loop".

Aldersley Junction

Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal

Wolverhampton Flight N97#2p39#3p27 N2k#2p39#3p27 N03#2p41#3p33

You need an anti-vandal key on at least half of the locks on the flight.

Wolverhampton Flight N97#2p39#3p27 N2k#2p39#3p27

There is a full Sanitary Station by Broad Street Bridge (Above Lock 1).    This replaces water point (shown in 1997 edition) or refuse disposal point (shown in 2000 edition) at Lock 16.

The unnamed bridge south of Wolverhampton Station car park (the tunnel south of Broad Street Bridge) is called Mill Street Bridge.

Wolverhampton Top Lock N97#2p39#3p27 N2k#2p39#3p27

Associated Cruisers Ltd, at the Top Lock, offer toilets, Elsan disposal, emergency pump-out (hand-pump only), water, mechanical repairs (no call-out). No diesel, gas or chandlery. Open weekdays approximately 09:30-16:30. Closed Saturday afternoons and Sundays. Ask for Malcolm!

Horseley Fields Junction

Horseley Fields Junction N97#2p39#3p27

There's a missing "B" symbol and Boatyard details for Union Mill Boatbuilders, on south bank, 200yds west of the junction.

Jibbet Lane Bridge N97#2p39#3p27 N2k#2p39#3p27

This bridge is spelt as Gibbet Lane Bridge in the guide.

Bridge 72B N97#2p52 N2k#2p52

The page link to p44 should read p39.

Deepfields Junction

Wednesbury Oak Loop N97#2p36

The page link to the Wednesbury Oak Loop should be to p52.

Coseley Tunnel N97#2p36#3p24 N2k#2p36#3p24

There is a second towpath through Coseley Tunnel on the west side.  It exists between the footbridges either side of the tunnel.

Coseley Stop N97#2p36#3p24 N2k#2p36#3p24

The moorings, mentioned towards the bottom of the main text, are adequate but they are rarely used.  The Black Country Museum moorings are more secure and more popular.

Factory Bridge N97#2p36#3p24 N2k#2p36#3p24

The pipe bridge shown north of the bridge is 300m further south than shown, on the first bend north of the bridge.

Factory Bridge N97#2p36#3p24 N2k#2p36#3p24 N03#2p38#3p30

There is a petrol Station (one of the few accessible from the canal) on Bloomfield Road, about half a mile north of the bridge.

Mad O'Rourke's Pie Factory (Hurst Lane, Tipton, DY4 9AB, Tel: 0121 557 1402 ) is at the crossroads with the A457, 300yds south of the bridge. Real ale (Enville Ale or Lumphammer Sept. 2004) "Amazing food - Desperate Dan's Cow Pie is more than filling", said my correspondent. [The web site at http://www.madpies.co.uk shows a nice touch of humour! - Ed]

Factory Junction

Old Line (Wolverhapmton Level)

Dudley Port Junction

Netherton Tunnel Branch

Albion Junction

Gower Branch

Pudding Green Junction

Walsall Canal

Bromford Junction

Old Line (Wolverhapmton Level)

Bromford Junction N97#2p32#3p20 N2k#2p32#3p20

There is a footbridge crossing the Birmingham Level just west of the junction.

There is no towpath on the south west side through Galton Tunnel, making the towpath on the south side of the New Main Line between Bromford Junction and the Engine Arm aqueduct impassable.

Smethwick Junction

Old Line (Wolverhapmton Level)

Rotton Park Junction N97#2p33#3p21

The inset map shows an aqueduct where the Icknield Port and Soho loops meet the Main Line.  It is actually a crossroads on the level as described in the text.

Sheepcote Street Bridge N97#2p33#3p21 N2k#2p33#3p21 N03#2p35#3p27

The Fiddle and Bone, Sheepscote Street, is worth a visit.  It's near the Sea Life Centre on the waterfront and is recommended in the Good Pub Guide.

There are 14 day moorings west of the bridge, an alternative to the shorter term Gas Street Basin moorings.

Old Turn/Deep Cuttings Junction

Birmingham and Fazeley Canal

Gas Street Basin

Gas Street Basin N97#2p156#2p140

Following the description of the history of the "Worcester Bar", the main text of the 2000 edition concludes with the warning "Don't leave your boat unattended in this area."  However, Gas Street Basin and the surrounding area is safe for mooring, even unattended, as the area is security patrolled.

Gas Street Basin N97#2p56#2p157#3p21#3p31#3p141 N2k#2p56#2p157#3p21#3p31#3p141 N03#2p58#2p163#3p26#3p36#3p147

Moorings at Gas Street and along the waterfront are time regulated (48 hrs, 24 hrs, 30 mins etc.) and they are patrolled.  There was even a man with a ticket book there at 9am on Easter Monday 1999!  So be warned unless you want a fine. (There are 14 day moorings on the Main Line west of Sheepcote Street bridge, by the Fiddle and Bone.)

The James Brindley does not serve real ale.  (The 2000 edition adds "There is a jazz session each Sun lunchtime" to its entry!)

The Tap and Spile, in old buildings near Worcester Bar in Gas Street Basin, serves an abundance of real ales as well as food lunch time and evening.

Gas Street Basin N97#3p21 N2k#3p21

At the bottom of the page a continuation arrow should point to p141 rather than another book.

Worcester and Birmingham Canal

Wednesbury Oak Loop

Deepfields Junction

BCN Main Line

Head of Navigation

Netherton Tunnel Branch

Dudley Port Junction

BCN Main Line

Tividale Aqueduct N97#2p52 N2k#2p52

The water tap by the aqueduct often suffers low water pressure and, on occasions, has been reported out of service altogether.

Windmill End Junction

Dudley No2 Canal

Gower Branch

Albion Junction

BCN Main Line

No Updates Received!

Bradeshall Junction

BCN Old Line