IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Bratch Lane, WOLVERHAMPTON, WV5 8DH

The entrance to the three locks and the keepers cottage on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal at Wombourne.

The view towards the three locks and the bridge over the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal at Wombourne.

This flight of locks is unusual in that it appears to be a staircase (multiple lock chambers with a single gate/pair of gates between each) but it is actually 3 separate locks built end to end. These locks are a popular spot with visitors and have been considerably titivated up since this picture was taken! See Image

Compare this with the first geograph picture Image British Waterways have spent some money on restoring the brickwork to the locks and lock-keepers house.

The Bratch locks are a well-known landmark on this popular canal, but some beginners are unsure how to operate them, and delays can be caused. Each lock is a separate entity and should be operated as such. It is NOT a staircase, because a large side pound is provided between the locks. Note the octagonal lock house at the top of the locks.

At busy times a strict regime of three boats down then three up needs to be observed, and spectators can be numerous. The lock keeper works very hard to assist the boaters, so signs now forbid others to be at lockside, for safety reasons.

The three locks are beyond the bridge. The canal was built wide here to accommodate many waiting boats at busy times. Now a convenient public picnic area allows a good view of narrowboats entering the flight.

James Brindley's solution here was to raise the water more than thirty feet by means of a staircase of three deep locks. These were later converted to a more conventional flight by means of large side ponds. However, this chamber is full, and the top gate has been left open by the crew which went up about twenty minutes ago. If the next crew coming up opens the bottom paddles to empty the lock, all the water from the side pond will empty out, leading to big problems :-) The octagonal building was a toll house. More details: http://www.sstaffs.gov.uk/Default.aspx?page=13246

There are three locks close together at The Bratch, appearing to be a staircase. However, this is not so, as each lock has a large side pond, and must be operated independently, thus treating the set as a flight rather than a staircase. This view is looking up at the middle lock's bottom gates from the chamber of the bottom lock.