Stewart Aqueduct
The Stewart Aqueduct (or Steward Aqueduct) in Smethwick, Staffordshire, 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.
Gallery
Motorway (M5) over railway over canal over canal
The aqueduct behind struts of motorway looking towards Birmingham
Outside links
- Location map: 52°30’21"N, 1°59’51"W
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Pearson, Michael (1989). Canal Companion - Birmingham Canal Navigations. J. M. Pearson & Associates. ISBN 0-907864-49-X.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 National Heritage List 1077161: Steward Aqueduct (Grade II listing)
- ↑ National Heritage List 1077161: Grade II
| The Birmingham Canal Navigations | ||
|---|---|---|
| Navigable: |
BCN Main Line • Birmingham and Fazeley Canal • Bumble Hole Branch Canal • Cannock Extension Canal • Digbeth Branch Canal • Dudley Canal • Engine Arm • Gower Branch Canal • Icknield Port Loop • Netherton Tunnel Branch Canal • Rushall Canal • Soho Loop • Spon Lane Locks Branch • Tame Valley Canal • Titford Canal • Walsall Canal • Wednesbury Oak Loop • Wednesbury Old Canal • Wyrley and Essington Canal | |
| Unnavigable: |
Anson Branch • Bentley Canal • Bradley Branch • Lichfield Canal • Ridgacre Branch • Tipton Green and Toll End Canals | |
