Hatherton Branch Canal
April 2020
Now let's be clear, the Hatherton Branch Canal never was part of the BCN although the Churchbridge Locks (and branch) were.
The Hatherton Branch Canal with the Churchbridge Locks
Whilst it is not part of the BCN, its operation was so embedded into the northern section of the BCN I think it's fair to say they share a common DNA. And for that reason I have chosen to include it in this record of old lost BCN canal photos.
It was the one and only significant branch canal built by the Staffs and Worcester Canal Company, built in 1841 to reach the collieries and brickworks in and around Churchbridge.
The 'Hatherton' moniker is attributable to Lord Hatherton, director of the Staffs and Worcs and the entire 3.5 mile branch canal ran through his land, which meant no approvals were needed from Parliament.
The canal operated as a branch canal for 22 years with its terminal basin being close to the Hatherton Reservoir, but in 1863 a through route was added via 13 new locks at Churchbridge (now the Cannock Orbital Retail Park) to the extensive coalfields served by the BCN's Cannock Extension Canal.
The Churchbridge Locks were something of an interface between the Staffs and Worcs and the BCN, with the BCN buying the land but the Staffs and Worcs paying for the construction of the locks. This link into the BCN proved very successful for the Staffs and Worcs and even in 1902, 12,000 tons of coal came onto the Churchbridge Branch via the locks.
Trade continued as long as the coal reserves existed, but it officially closed in 1949 with the last commercial boat making a passage in 1951 and (there is always one) a private hire boat forced an agonising last passage in 1952.
There are long term plans to restore this back door into the BCN using the original Hatherton line as far as its old terminus, before breaking off on a new route to the south.
I have ordered the photos as we go down the canal from the foot of the Churchbridge Locks.
Watling Street Bridge (A5) over canal (now a roundabout)
Watling Street Bridge (left), Gilpin's Edge Tool Works and Churchbridge Locks
White Lion Pub and Churchbridge Junction below Churchbridge Locks in 1926
Early view of Gilpin's Basin and Edge Tool Works
Gilpin's Edge Tool Works and Basin
Gilpin's Basin Bridge at the foot of the Churchbridge Locks
Rail Bridge with Bridge 13 beyond
The footbridge (Bridge 13) and railway bridge at Bridgtown Arthur Watts (CRT Archive)
Canal extension to Churchbridge Locks
The Razza - AKA the Walkmill Reservoir above Hawkin's Basin
Hawkin's Basin and Cannock Old Coppice Colliery - the original canal terminus in1920
Lift bridge into Hawkin's Basin by A Muir White 1957
Lift Bridge at entrance to Hawkin's Basin
Aqueduct into Hawkin's Basin revealed during M6 Toll construction
Bob May / BCNS Archive
Bob May / BCNS Archive
Hawkins Works with Hawkins and Bridgtown Locks beyond
Walkmill lock Keeper's Cottage (Lock Eight) late 1950's
Lock Six
Wedges Mill Bridge (No 9)
Wedge's Mill Lock (Number four)
The last passage 1952 (John Liley)
The Boat Museum Society November 2017
The Boat Museum Society November 2017
Aerial views of the Hatherton Branch
Cherry Tree Bridge (No 8) with towpath ramp added - Andy Tidy
Meadow Lock (number three) Carol Cooper
Remains of Bridge Number 7 below Meadow Lock - Andy Tidy
Bridge Number 7 below Meadow Lock - Carol Cooper
Bridge Number 7 below Meadow Lock - Carol Cooper
Catch Catch Bridge (No 6) after mining subsidence
Bob May / BCNS Archive
Catch Bridge (No 6) during demolition - Eric Wood
Dropped Cross Bridge (No 5) and Dinghy Dawdle - Duncan Moore
Same scene decades later by Duncan Moore
Saredon Mill Bridge (No 4) looking east
Upstream view of Scrawper's End Bridge (No3) by Duncan Moore
Lowered Scrawper's End (No 3) today
Reduced headroom at Scrawper's End Bridge (No3) by Duncan Moore
DOES ANYONE HAVE A PHOTO OF DOG BRIDGE?
Dingy Dawdle in 1991 from site of Dog Bridge on the Straight Mile
Lock two at Calf Heath adapted to dry dock
Calf Heath bottom lock (Lock one) - Athur Watts CRT Archive
Lock one - Arthur Watts - CRT Archive
Lock One at calf Heath by Graham Moore
Portaging the Dinghy Dawdle at Hatherton Bottom Lock (Lock One)
Calf Heath Bridge No 1 and bottom lock (Lock Eight) - Arthur Watts CRT Archive
Hatherton Junction with the Staffs and Worcester Canal (Tom Manning)
Hatherton Junction with the Staffs and Worcester Canal (Tom Manning)
The above photos have been assembled from various sources, including those freely found on the internet. My thanks go to the many photographers alive and dead who have contributed to this collection and in so doing, are keeping the memory of these lost canals alive. These images are reproduced for ease of research are are not necessarily the property of this blog, and as such should not be used for commercial gain without the explicit permission of the owner (whoever that may be).
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