Industry in Victorian Birmingham

There were four diagonal directions of growth of industry. North-west along the Birmingham Canal through Ladywood and beyond, on cheap land, with good rail and water facilities, nearer to Black Country; brass, copper, holloware. North-east, two arms, along Fazeley Canal to Aston, and along Rea valley, land made available by early improvement works - new channels, better drainage; - Aston served by canal and Grand Junction (Liverpool) line, Rea valley by Midland Railway. Branch lines to gas works, Vauxhall and North Saltley. Machine tools, railway wagon works. South-east along Warwick Canal and Oxford (G.W.) Railway. B.S.A., Greet, Hay Mills. South-west (detached) along Worcester Canal, Gloucester and South-West Suburban Lines; Selly Oak, Stirchley, Bournville, steel-rolling, paper, chemicals, rubber, chocolate.

B.S.A. (B'ham Smalls Arms Co.) set up in 1854, 14 small firms combining. New factory built on Golden Hillock, 1862, new station provided, ended problems of production in many premises. Proofhouse, machine tools shop. Booms during wars, slumps in peace, so diversification. Bicycles, motor-bicycles, cars, later.

Cadburys. Cocoa factory in Crooked Lane, moved to Bridge St. beside canal. George and Richard Cadbury moved to Bournville in 1879. Quaker concern with workers' welfare, healthy site with canal and rail alongside chosen. Only key workers first housed, no '79 buildings now standing. Village begun in 1895, good cottage-type houses, low rents, amenities, sport, welfare, churches, schools. No pubs. Village Trust set up to use profits for dwellers' benefit.

Witton Cartridge Works began development along Tame Valley. Knyochs, l.C.l. River works enabled use of riverside meadows. Tame Valley Canal. Post World War One development of industry east from Nechells Power Station - Fort Dunlop, etc.