Top Lock, Spon Lane Locks, With Attached Footbridge Birmingham Canal Wolverhampton Level

SANDWELL MB BIRMINGHAM CANAL SP 08 NW Wolverhampton Level, W.Bromwich 9/37 Top Lock, Spon Lane Locks, with 30.3.87 attached footbridge

GV II

One of flight of three locks on Wolverhampton Level of Birmingham Canal, with attached lock bridge. Probably 1790, when Brindley's original flight of six locks built in 1769 was reduced to the present three; some C20 repairs. Brick, with sandstone kerbstones partly replaced by concrete. Cast-iron sluice gear. Upper gate single, lower gate double. Across the lower entrance to the lock chamber is a footbridge, of cast iron and having brick abutments with sandstone dressings. The bridge was originally in two halves, with one cantilevered from each bank, allowing a rope to pass through a central slot. The walkway is now concreted and the cast-iron railings remain only on the downstream side. The Old Main Line, on the Wolverhampton Level, was by-passed by Telford's New Main Line on the Birmingham Level in 1829. (Paget-Tomlinson, E W. "The Complete Book of Canal and River Navigations", 1978, p 950.

Listing NGR: SP0039089869