Restoration Plan: Lapal West; Phase-2

WP2       The Abbeyfields Backlands [LW6]

            WP 2.1     Abbeyfields Narrows

At the southern flank of the valley, where the embankment meets the contour cutting and close to the far end of the bagging wall, there is a set of brick narrows [LW6N], which marks the start of this Sub-section.  The narrows have been retained and restored as an authentic feature having the original purpose of being a semi-automatic stop-lock.  It housed a normally open lock gate that would close if canal water began to flow past it as a result of a breach in the embankment Section (the complimentary ‘partner’ to the gate located under Heywood Bridge).  Fortunately, there are no known records (or tell-tale signs) that this expedient ever operated in the former life of this canal!  During restoration of the embankment, provision has been made for the installation of a stop-lock gate when connection is to be made to the main system at Hawne Basin.

As was mentioned above, because the spill-weir at Mucklow Hill cannot at present be utilised as a means of water management, an alternative mechanism has been constructed at the narrows to act as a means of draining down the restored embankment length of the canal.  An outlet situated in the side brickwork leads to a culvert running down the side of the embankment and a penstock has been installed to provide the necessary control.

            WP 2.2     Narrows Crossing

Throughout the length of this Sub-section, the towpath is situated on the western side.  The offside path, which ran alongside the embankment, terminates at a point just beyond the narrows and a steep embankment to the housing estate of West Dean Close and Hamilton Avenue borders this side.  In recent times, a temporary foot-bridge had been situated flat across the narrows in order to facilitate crossing of the canal and thereby provide access to a path-way linking the north side path and [name of road].  LCT removed the bridge following a number of incidents of vandalism and so access across the canal in this area is now via the coffer dam (situated some five yards down from the narrows).  The coffer dam also serves to mark the current limit of restoration along this length.

Throughout the working life of the canal, there was never a crossing-point at the narrows.  However, since the abandonment of the canal, the development of the [name of estate] on the north side has led to this crossing becoming a popular and entrenched route.  Indeed, given that the north (non-towpath) side pathway terminates at this point, LCT considers it desirable that a means of crossing the narrows be incorporated into the restoration Project.  When the restoration is extended along this Sub-section, this right-of-way will be sympathetically preserved by the construction of a traditional brick-arched accommodation bridge [LW6B], having gradual inclines to facilitate “wheel access” from the south side towpath and providing direct access from the [name of road] at the off-side high level.

            WP 2.3     General

 The channel along this Sub-section is fully recognisable as a derelict canal having a proliferation of reeds and similar flora growing out of extensive shallow pools and puddles.  Together, these all suggest that the puddle clay is generally sound.  Conversely, at least two sites of damaged puddle clay are known and the entire channel has several drainage provisions built into it and which relate to the [name of estate] housing estate.  In particular, poorly installed sewers for foul-water and storm-water cross the channel in this Section.

LCT has deployed working parties on a regular basis to remove self-seeded saplings to maintain the general tidiness in readiness for restoration.  Replacement saplings have already been planted in the general vicinity and in the grounds of the nearby [name] School.

Only a very short length, in close proximity to the former Fordrove Bridge [LW6FB], has been filled-in.  Therefore the restoration of this Section, perhaps by voluntary effort, is a reasonable proposition.  However, the towpath proceeds along the western flank where it is above the gardens of properties in Tibberton Close and Abberton Close.  Thus, suitable engineering methods will be required to secure this embankment.  This is not disimilar to the passage of the canal through the Selly Oak Park Sub-section [LE3], on the Eastern Approach.  Conversely, the offside runs well below all properties on the eastern side and those that adjoin the canal can all benefit from "moat security" (and an improved panorama to the distant Clent Hills, in some cases).

The in-fill that begins just to the north of the former site of Fordrove Bridge, continues to the A456 as a levelled and landscaped footpath that preserves the necessary corridor width of the former canal [LW6P].  It is not possible to trace the exact location of the channel along this Sub-section, such is the contour of the pathway along the canal corridor.

Restoration of this Section will be a significant project in its own right, but will be further influenced by the eventual choice of a suitable means to cross the A456.  In principle, it is conceivable that sufficient land could be acquired to install a winding close to the A456 as the limit of navigation for the time being.  However, this would necessarily incur the additional cost of providing a replacement Fordrove Bridge over what is a very short interim length of canal (until the A456 crossing is constructed).  Alternatively, an interim winding could be provided in the vicinity of the former Fordrove Bridge to act as the limit of navigation if, in the meantime, the northern Sections have become connected to Hawne Basin, rather than being extended as a 'linear lake'.

            3.2.4     A New Fordrove Bridge

A design for a replacement Fordrove Bridge has already been prepared [LW6FB].  Similar to the proposed crossing at Abbeyfields Narrows, it permits pedestrian, wheelchair and pedal-cycle (but not motor-cycle) access, either to cross over the canal or join the towpath.  Once again, it is to be of a traditional brick skinned-construction to provide authenticity of appearance.

	Strategy	Plan	Phase-1	Phase-2	Phase-3
			Parkland	Backland Meander	Heritage Flank
Western Approach Canal :	West	West	Hawne Basin / Leasowes Park	Abbeyfields	St Mary's
Eastern Approach Canal :	East	East	Battery Park / Selly Oak Park	Lodge Hill	Weoley Castle