v t e Gower Branch Canal in relation to BCN Main Lines
Legend
Tipton (top) to Smethwick(bottom)
Birmingham Canal Navigations Old Main Line New Main Line Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal Gower Branch Bradeshall Junction Albion Junction Old Main Line New Main Line Birmingham Canal Navigations

The Gower Branch Canal is a half-mile canal at Tividale in England, linking Albion Junction on the Birmingham Level (453 feet above sea) of the Birmingham Canal Navigations, and Brades Hall Junction (sometimes written Bradeshall Junction^[1]) on the BCN's older Wolverhampton (473 ft) level, via three locks, the Brades Locks, at the Southern, Brades Hall end.

It has a towpath on its eastern side and is crossed by only one road, the A457, just north of the middle lock. The branch is suitable for narrowboats of up to 70 foot length and 7 foot beam.

It facilitated travel between the Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal and the BCN Old Main Line, without the need for a long detour to Tipton or Smethwick and back.

History

The branch was authorised by the Birmingham Canal Act of 1768 but was not completed until 1836.

Features

Photographs

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Gower Branch Canal.

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  Looking up Brades Lock.
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  Middle section of Brades Lock.
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  Looking down Brades Lock from the junction bridge.
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  The instructions for using a staircase lock.
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  The lower lock gate of Brades Lock showing the bridge sign.
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  New Mainline Canal at Albion Junction.