Today’s walk would be passing an old water pumping house on the Birmingham Canal Navigation. I was looking for a still from the Kevin & Perry film where Eyeball Paul asks the aspiring DeeJays if they’re into Acid house or Pumping House, but couldn’t find anything suitable.
If you’ve seen Kevin & Perry Go Large, you’ll know what I’m rattling on about, otherwise sorry – go see the film.
Concessionary Bus Pass
Times: Free travel is available 09:30–23:00 Monday to Friday, and all day at weekends and on public holidays.
West Midlands Benefits: Within the West Midlands, the pass can be used on buses, trains, and Midland Metro.
Pre-9:30am Travel: If you need to travel before 9:30am, you may be able to pay a reduced, (£2) single fare on National Express West Midlands buses.
As I did the other day, I left a little earlier than my bus pass would allow and purchased a (slightly) cheaper single fare into Birmingham.
A short walk took me to New Street Station where I had a bit of a wait for the 10:11 West Midlands Railway service to Sandwell & Dudley.
From the station, I had another short walk until I was descending down to the Birmingham Main Line canal.
About half a mile along the cut towards Birmingham, at Bromford Junction, the canal splits with the right hand side becoming the OLD Birmingham Main Line whilst straight ahead is the NEW one (opened 1829). The original line used to rise by three locks and then drop down by the same number at the other end. The new line cut out the need for locks by running through a deep cutting which is seventy one feet deep in places.
My plan was to walk along the new section to where the two parts come back together and return by the other.
All went well, until I encountered this …
This ‘temporary’ closure has been in place for at least five years. Apparently, the wall is in danger of collapse but there are on-going negotiations between the owners (used to be Old Chance Glassworks), Sandwell Council and Canals & Rivers Trust.
I’m not holding my breath !
There is a diversion in place which involves climbing up to the old level, passing the dodgy bit, then dropping back down.
Somehow, I managed to miss the path back down so ended up walking a bit further than planned, dropping down by the Galton Valley Pumping Station (more later). I was doing an Adventure Lab series set along this section of canal and had to back track to visit one particular part.
Continuing my walk, I go to the ‘other end’ and made my way back onto the old level. Oddly, the three locks at this end were once supplemented by a parallel set to help with traffic flow.
After a couple more AdLab locations, I arrived (back) at the Pumping House. Built in 1892 it was used to pump the water that was lost from the locks back up.
It was not used as much as planned and closed in 1920 but has since been renovated.
As I approached the pump house, I noticed that the door was open (usually only open a few times a year). There was a chap pottering about and we got talking. In fact I stood there chatting for something like half an hour.
I forgot to ask him his name but he has worked on the canals for many years and is part of a team that looks after the pump house.
Here is a Virtual Tour of the pump house.
We chatted about the pumping house and the engines and pumps within (not the originals but a replacement set to set the mood).
He did jog my memory about the need, many years ago, that to ride a bike on the towpath, a permit was required from British Waterways. I believe this scheme was policed by the lock keepers and at one time the permit cost half a crown (Two and Six or twelve and a half pence). In later years permits became available on-line and finally when the Canals and Rivers Trust took over, the requirement was dropped to be replaced with the Towpath Code.
Eventually, I tore myself away to continue my geocaching and walking.
By the time I had reached Sandwell & Dudley station, I had covered 6.68 miles in a moving (excluding chatting) time of 1:47 – giving an average pace of 16:08 per mile. If nothing else, I’m getting quicker.
The Towpath Code
Remember: Share the Space, Drop your Pace, It’s a Special Place
Please be thoughtful and considerate when using towpaths.
The following applies:
- Pedestrians have priority
- Cyclists must slow down for others
- Take extra care when passing people, pets and wildlife
- Respect people using the waterway for activities like angling, boating or paddle sports
- Wheelchairs, mobility aids, cycles and legal e-bikes are allowed
- E-scooters, motorbikes, modified e-bikes and other unauthorised vehicles are not allowed
- Keep dogs under close control and clean up after them
- Take litter home
A speedy Avanti train took me back into Birmingham from where a 94 bus took me, not home, but to my local Toby where I met up with Wife and Daughter #3 for a spot of lunch.
Sat at my desk, post lunch, I have noticed no pain from my knees – Bonus !