Bradley Arm Canal, Bilston

The Bradley Arm Canal was first built during the years 1770 and 1771.  It originally formed part of the original Birmingham Canal from Birmingham to Wolverhampton creating a vital link with local mines and iron foundries.  Most notable amongst these estates was that of the “Iron Master” John Wilkinson.  With the building of the canal Wilkinson added to his estate through the construction of a foundry and later furnaces and ironworks for smelting and working up of pig iron alongside the canal.

Wilkinson is noted for his use of all things iron, including his own coffin and he even constructed iron canal boats. These boats were an early example of the use of iron craft on the Birmingham Canal.

Bradley Workshop, which lies at the southern most part of the Bradley arm is one of only two workshops in the country which builds and restores lock gates for the national canal network, and with the exception of the wood itself all the metal parts are crafted within three miles of the workshops.

In 2006 sections of the footpath of the Bradley Arm underwent improvement, achieving national acclaim as a runner-up in the British Urban Regeneration Association (BURA) waterside renaissance awards.  The project was commended for its inclusion of the local community in the restoration project and for the creation of training and employment opportunities in carrying out the restoration works.

However, the scope of this work was limited and if Bradley Arm Canal is to play a major role in providing recreational and leisure space, further investment is needed.

The Urban Park project will see the restoration of the whole towpath, create pedestrian links and carry out improvements to two local wildlife/fishing pools.  Also improvements to footpaths will result in strong links with Moorcroft Woods, a Living Landmark project in Walsall being established.

Each of these pools will incorporate health trails linking onto the canal, and strengthening its role as a local asset for recreation. An historical trail, publicising the role the area played within the industrial revolution, will be created in partnership with local schools and historical societies.