Brindley's Loops - the navigable backwaters of the BCN

8.3 We explore the loop canals created when Thomas Telford cut his new canal through James Brindley's earlier winding canal between Birmingham and Smethwick. Some remain in water and others have been lost over time.
#birminghamcanal #jamesbrindley #thomastelford #canals #bcn

[@Bethgrey]

Been waiting for you to cover this bit of the canal, I use to cycle this rout every other day in the first lock down, about 30km exploring but never knowing what I was really looking at

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

I hope you enjoy the series.

[@01jvb]

Great video Andy, but it would be better in my opinion if you slowed down the drone footage and put a red line on it showing the old line of canal.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Interesting you should say that..... That was in fact my plan but when flying the drone on this occasion it threw up a warning that the nearby prison has turned on its jammers! So, I grabbed the video without stills and was glad just to get the drone back1

[@dieselbushcraft1299]

Fascinating history, I’m not from the midlands but I love watching your videos of the waterways history in that area. Thanks for taking the time to create the videos.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

They are a pleasure to make.but that probably shows!

[@rmk]

Great video and very informative as ever, thanks Andy!

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Thanks Russell

[@TheDAT9]

I travelled much of these cannels but never bothered to film them, so it's good to see them again. Thanks.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Its nice to try and capture the old alongside the new.

[@henryharesdene4164]

Yet another of your priceless insights of what used to be and now is the BCN. As a boater we have visited the BCN many, many times from our base on the Thames. Now with the boat for sale, all we have left are your commentaries and views of the best of the canal system. Very many thanks once again.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

I hope you can still get a vicarious canal fix from my videos.

[@denisjones7836]

Hi Andy, thanks for your very informative videos. May I ask a question about the aqueduct on the Anglesey arm? Could you explain the procedure converting the feeder into a navigable canal incorporating the South Staffordshire Railway in a quite deep cutting? Thanks again for the videos and hope you can shine a light on this puzzle. Denis

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Thats a good question and I wish I could post a picture in these answers because it would make more sense to you. The old deed maps for the BCN show the old feeder maybe a canal width to the brownhills side of the aqueduct we see today. They did a deal with a William Middleton, the local land owner and swapped land so they could build a new navigable channel alongside the old one, including the Middleton Road Bridge and rail aqueduct, and then gave the land the old feeder was on to him in return. That way the old feeder stayed running till the new navigable channel was operational. As I say, a picture would be so much clearer.

[@johnbarry5115]

I'm certainly familiar with the Soho Loop - some 30 years ago I used to work in the GKN Computer Centre on Cranford Street, and the Soho Loop was a regular route for my lunchtime runs. We would occasionally go for a run around the reservoir, but that was pushing it a bit for a lunchtime. A few months ago I took my boat around the Soho Loop and the Icknield Port Loop, and as you can imagine things have changed since my running days. I found the new properties around the Icknield Port Loop a bit strange - they are built with just a small paved garden between the property and the canal. You don't usually get to see right into someone's lounge from the back of your boat - I suppose it's reverse gongoozeling.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Oddly, those patios sit on what was the towpath.

[@dennyporter2447]

Great video Andy!... I so look forward to seeing all your videos! Cheers buddy from Missouri USA..

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Glad to know I still have my follower in Missouri!

[@TheLegalHerbsMan]

Great video. Cycled this route many a times. Thanks for your hard work 🎉❤

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Thanks.

[@insertyourquarters]

Icknield Port Loop is part of my commute to University. Really nice to hear the history of it. I know more about the abandoned train stations above than the canal network so this is a treat. Thank you.

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@s4mur41RPG]

Used to bike ride these canals with my dad from smethwick into birmingham about 12 years ago. So it’s great to get a deeper understanding of them and their history

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Glad you enjoyed it.

[@mattpalmer6054]

Would you mind me asking what model drone you use please?

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

I have been flying a DJI Mini 2 for the last year. Working well and its always come back!

[@gospelman7222]

Cracking video Andy - well done!

[@lifeat2.3milesanhour57]

Thanks