Approaching Garrison Top Lock near Bordesley, Birmingham

Image: © Roger D Kidd Taken: 21 Aug 2012

This view of the lock is looking north-east towards Salford Junction. This two and a half mile canal linking the two junctions is often referred to as the Saltley Cut, or the Birmingham and Warwick Junction Canal, opened in 1844 to avoid the more heavily locked route through the city. Travelling south-west towards Bordesley Junction, the flight of five Garrison Locks allows a rise of 34ft 5in (10·3 metres). Garrison Top Lock is Lock No 59 on the Grand Union Canal. Wikipedia describes how it used to be on this short canal at the height of the canal era: " ...Saltley Cut was reviled as the filthiest place on the whole canal system, with gas works, a power station, railway works and a chemical works all generating or receiving cargoes, and discharging waste into the canal. It has been cleaned up now, and there is new housing facing the waterfront."

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