Delph Locks, Canal lock system in Brierley Hill, United Kingdom
Delph Locks is a flight of eight canal locks situated on the Dudley No. 1 Canal between two bridges in the Brierley Hill area. The structures rise and fall with the terrain, creating a staircase of water chambers that manage the flow along the waterway.
The locks were built in 1779 to connect two major canal networks in the Dudley area. They were substantially rebuilt in 1858, when one of the original nine locks was removed while maintaining the same water level change.
The locks stand as a reminder of how canals shaped working life during the industrial era. People visiting today can see how this waterway system once tied together distant mines and factories.
You can reach the locks most easily from Mill Street Bridge at the top of the flight. Wear sturdy shoes as the paths beside the water can become slippery, especially after rain or when wet.
Above the top lock sits an iron roving bridge that was manufactured by Horsley Ironworks in the late 1700s. This bridge is a rare example of how metalworkers of that time created mobile structures to help boatmen navigate the locks.
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