Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal

Closely linked with the other first generation narrow canals the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal (often known as the Staffs and Worcs) received its act on the same day as the Trent and Mersey. With no major engineering obstacles, construction proceeded quickly under James Brindley as the engineer and it was fully opened by 1772. But this lightly engineered route was to fall out of favour with the coming of new, more direct, canals such as the Birmingham and Liverpool Junction and the Worcester and Birmingham. But by concentrating on local traffic, and by exploiting the critical half mile between Autherley and Aldersley Junctions, the Company remained in business until nationalisation. Even today, when it makes up parts of several of the most popular cruising routes, there is a slightly down-at-heel feel about the canal - somehow it seems to be slightly forgotten about. To me, this adds to the charm of what is one of my favourite canals.

Relevant publications — Waterway Travels:

• Cruising the Staffs. & Worcs. Canal (with one eye on its history)

Relevant publications — Waterway Maps:

• Waterway Routes 01M - England and Wales Map

Relevant publications — Waterway Guides:

• Collins Nicholson Waterways Guides No 2 - Severn, Avon & Birmingham
• Pearson's Canal Companion: Stourport Ring; Black Country Canals; Birmingham Canal Navigations