Shrewsbury Canal, Trench Arm - Pt 5 GKN to Trench

Telfords Tub Boat Canals - Part 5
GKN to Trench
January 2012

We really are into the final furlong of this leg of our journey to Trench. The massive GKN works may sit astride one of the best preserved sections of canal but its line does finally emerge, albeit with something of a whimper. 

The Blue Pig, Trench 2012

The line limps out beside the recently reinstated railway track, passing beneath a gas pumping station before entering the maze of redeveloped roads and roundabouts. Trench Lock, the highest on the canal, sat somewhere in the area. Our best guess is that it sat in the central roundabout but the whole area has been levelled and absolutely no traces remain - we even pressed through the centre of the roundabout to check.

Site of Trench Lock

Trench Lock in operation

We do know that the canal passed along the edge of Trench Pool and past the Blue Pig, the pub visible in the iconic images of the Trench Inclined Plane. A word about this pub: Its called the Blue Pig after the local iron which went a shade of blue as it cooled but was previously known as the Shropshire Inn. Either way, this building offers the only absolute landmark in a sea of change.

Course of Trench Arm beside Trench Pool 

Trench Pool 2012

Below Trench 1966

This route does offer a final feature of interest, the site of the Trench Inclined Plane. The plane was 227 yards long and 75ft high rising up the hill to the east and connecting the Shrewsbury Canal to the earlier Womborne Canal. Of the five tub boat inclined planes in the network, this was the last to close in 1921 after over 120 years of service. 

Trench Inclined Plane - 1902

The lift consisted of two parallel tracks and carried five ton tub boats on wheeled cradles. Initially the system operated by gravity, with a full boat going down lifting a 3/4 full boat coming up. At a later date a steam engine was added to improve efficiency.

Looking up the Incline site 2012

Trench Incline in operation

Trench Plane 1966

Fast forward 90 years and much of the plane embankment is gone, swept down the hill to fill in the bed of an obsolete canal. However, take a look at the old pictures and compare it to what remains. 

Two views from the top of the Incline at Trench - new and old

The top platform, or part of it, remains together with the higher spoil stack behind but perhaps the best view is back over the Blue Pig. The smoking chimneys may have gone, replaced with GKN - its good to see some industry has survived.

Trench Inclined Plane - top

If you have enjoyed these posts fear not - the Shrewsbury Canal may have come to an end but they bought the Wombridge Canal to reach the furnaces of Donnington Wood, and that's where we are going next.


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