Objective: cycle the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal from Fazeley Junction to Salford Junction, the Tame Valley Canal, the Walsall Canal, and the Birmingham Level Mainline to Gas Street Basin in the centre of Birmingham. Take the train back to your start point.
Trip Type: solo cycle
Distance: 31 miles
Time to complete: 3.5 hrs, 8.6 mph
Nicholson Guide: Guide 2, pp 38, 39, 58-63, Guide 3 pp 40-45
Costs: free parking at Tamworth. Train from New Street to Wilnecote £6 (1-2 per hour).
Difficulty: moderate
Adjacent Rides: Fazeley Junction to Burton, Fazeley Junction to Bedworth, Rushall Canal & Walsall, Wyrley & Essington and Wednesbury Oak Loop, Oldbury to Penkridge, Farmers Locks to Dudley, Solihull to Shirley
Overview
A longer ride than my usual, taking in 4 canals, is possible because the towpaths are generally very good and fast, although there are a few trickier sections hence the MODERATE rating overall. The diversion round the towpath closure at Spon Lane Junction requires lifting and maneuvering which would be difficult for an electric bike. The ride takes in Salford Junction, which sits un-noticed by car drivers passing over Spaghetti Junction above.
1. Fazeley Junction to Salford Junction (13.5 miles)
Park your car on Barnbridge, Tamworth, B77 1DE. There is a small car park at the end of the road, right by the canal. Turn left on the canal and after 100m cross the footbridge, join the towpath and cycle south down to Fazeley Junction, about a mile. Turn left onto the Birmingham & Fazeley.
The towpath on the Birmingham & Fazeley Canal is initially good, but is then poor for 2 miles down to Curdworth Bottom Lock (Lock 11). There is a very narrow towpath before you get to Curdworth Tunnel, which is just 75 yards long. There is a narrow path through the tunnel, which is fenced, but as the curving tunnel roof restricts the height you will need to dismount and walk through. Shortly after the tunnel is the Cuttle Bridge Inn, at which point the the towpath becomes metalled, and continues to be excellent for some distance.
Shortly before Salford Junction the canal passes under a factory on stilts. Salford Junction sits right underneath the infamous Spaghetti Junction (or Gravelly Hill Interchange to give it its posh name). Take a minute to take a photo and admire the many levels and bridges of the feat of engineering you are passing beneath. Arriving at the 4-way junction cross the bridges over the Grand Union, and the continuation of the Birmingham and Fazeley, keeping to the right hand waterway which becomes the Tame Valley Canal. You will cover the other routes on the Solihull to Shirley ride.
2. Salford Junction to Spon Lane Junction (11 miles)
Once on the Tame Valley, the towpath switches to the right at Witton Turnover bridge (the 1st bridge), then back to the left at Brookvale Road Bridge (the 3rd bridge) – do not try to go through the radar gate under the bridge as it leads nowhere. Continue on the left past Rushall Junction, then the canal crosses the M5 on an aquaduct. Permit yourself a smile if you happen to be travelling faster then the traffic below at this point, as I was.
The towpath turns to earth now, all the way to Ocker Hill Junction, where the Tame Valley Canal terminates as it meets the Walsall Canal. Cross the bridge and turn left on the Walsall Canal, immediately crossing a second bridge at the entrance to the Ocker Hill Tunnel Branch.
Continue up the 8 Ryder’s Green Locks. If you are really keen, right by Lock 8 you can double back up to Ryder’s Green Road, turn right, over the canal, continue 100m and drop down onto the Ridgeacre Branch, the navigable part of which is around 400m long. Return to Lock 8. Continue half a mile to Pudding Green Junction, where the Walsall Canal meets the Birmingham Level Mainline. Navigating the junction is a little tricky as you have to double back slightly – see map. Head south towards Birmingham City Centre. Continue a further half mile to where Spon Lane Locks fork off to the left.
3. Spon Lane Junction to Gas Street Basin (4 miles)
The towpath up the Spon Lane Locks is permanently closed, and in any case you are heading along the Birmingham Level Mainline on this ride, saving the joys of the Wolverhampton Level Mainline for another time. However just under the Stewart Aqueduct trouble awaits: the towpath on the Birmingham Level is permanently closed for a stretch and you will need to follow the diversion as follows:
Where the metal fence stops you going any further go up the steep slope to the Wolverhampton Level. Reaching the top on the Stewart Aqueduct turn right to the canal junction (the top of the Spon Lane Locks). Turn right again under the M5. At the first footbridge go up the ramp and cross over. Then manoeuvre between the motorway pillar and the fence to find a swing gate. Go through this and you are on Spon Lane South. Turn right, cross the road and drop back down to the towpath on the far side of the closure. Phew.
Note: Although the Nicholson Guide says there is a towpath on the other side of the Birmingham Level Mainline at this point, there isn’t, so you don’t have any easy alternative to this diversion.
Continue on the Birmingham Level Mainline which follows a cutting, then opens out with a fabulous view of the city centre as you cycle into town. Pass Smethwick Junction where the Wolverhampton Level drops back down, and various other offshoots to arrive at bustling Old Turn Junction, just before Gas Street Basin. There are plenty of pubs and bars here to quench your thirst at an extortionate price. I went for the Distillery, just before you reach Old Turn Junction – nice to sit outside if it’s sunny and the test match is on the big screen.
4. Gas Street Basin to Tamworth (2.5 miles cycling)
At Old Turn Junction cross the bridge over the Birmingham & Fazeley and continue 200m on the Worcester & Birmingham to Gas Street Basin, where the canal widens out to your left and there are moorings. From the corner of the basin cut through to Bridge Street. Turn right down to Holliday Street. Turn left on Holliday Street up towards the A38 Aston Expressway. Don’t attempt to cycle across this road as it is very busy, instead dismount on the left and cross to the right of Holliday Street at the junction with the A38, then cycle down the pedestrian slope to the underpass. Once under the underpass continue straight on Navigation Street to New Street Station with its shiny new facade. Take the train to Wilnecote (1-2 per hour, no reservation required).
Coning out of Wilnecote station turn left, then right at The Bulls Head onto A51 Tamworth Road. At the roundabout take the second exit to Park Farm Road, then turn left on Barnbridge down to your car.