Anson Branch, Industrial canal branch in West Midlands, United Kingdom
Anson Branch is an industrial canal in the West Midlands that connects with the Walsall Canal near Forster's Bridge. The waterway features locks and structures designed to move cargo from industrial sites to distribution points across the region.
Legal authorization for construction came in 1768, though actual work began decades later in the 1830s. The waterway became part of a larger network connecting the heavy industries that defined the Black Country region.
The waterway was central to moving goods from the local industries that fueled the region's economy. Visitors can trace this working past by walking the banks and seeing how the landscape was shaped around this trade route.
Visit during dry weather, as the paths along the waterway can become slippery. Multiple access points exist throughout the area, so wear sturdy footwear to safely navigate the uneven surfaces.
An aqueduct carries the waterway across the River Tame, a feat of early 1800s engineering that lets visitors see how builders overcame natural obstacles. The structure remains largely intact today and demonstrates the technical skill required to create a working canal network.
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