Maps of the Churchbridge and Portway Arms of the BCN.
WHAT DID WE ASK FOR?
“Could you please supply me with a historic deed plan/map of the Churchbridge arm/Valencia Wharf and Portway arms that connected to the Birmingham Mainline canal at Oldbury.”
WHY DID WE ASK THIS?
As part of obtaining the journey route that Albright and Wilson’s contractors would have taken from Trinity Street to Rattlechain, the Churchbridge part of the route is an important piece. The Portway arm, including Titford pools was of additional separate historic interest to us.
WHAT DID THEY KNOW?
The Portway arm, long ago filled in was obtained.
The area of canal known as Titford pools was obtained.
A mistake was made concerning the location of The Churchbridge arm. We wanted the one at Oldbury but they sent the area of canal at Cannock. Despite this we clarified this asking for sheets 48 and 49 and the correct map was obtained. The Churchbridge arm itself is not shown, presumably as this was a private arm.
Sheet 48 also shows the long filled in Oldbury loop.
WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?
Sheet 48 shows the infilled Oldbury loop not a part of the journey but of historical interest none the less.
Sheet no 49 shows continuation towards Oldbury under Seven Stars Road the entrance to the filled in Churchbridge branch and associated basins upto highbridge at Furnace Street/ now in the Rounds Green Road area.
Industry is everywhere alongside the canals in this area, and so would be the dredgings that went with it, which would most likely have been sent at one time or another to Rattlechain Lagoon or somewhere similar.
