Canals.

The WARWICK CANAL was begun in Deritend in 1793. It crosses the Spark and the Cole on a brick aqueduct approached on high embankments. Summit level is maintained by following brook courses, curving to run parallel to the Cole, Redhill and Whisley Brook valleys. The last two are tapped for water. A deep cutting and tunnel are needed across the Stockfield ridge. Wharves were made on both sides of Yardley Road, for the loading of tiles and the unloading of coal respectively. After the formation of the Grand Union Canal Company in 1929 the canal was deepened, the banks were concrete piled, and the tunnel was reconstructed. A basin built to serve WW I munitions factories east of the railway viaduct was restored as an early project of 'The Ackers' Trust, and a marina is to be provided thereabout as a centre for water activities. There is no commercial traffic on the canal. Huge dumps of refuse and clinker carried by narrow boat to the confluence meadows are being landscaped and planted.

The STRATFORD CANAL began at Kings Norton in 1793. It follows the Chinn valley, and enters Yardley at Warstock. Leaving, it cuts deeply into Yardley Wood Common, then follows the bounding brook valley. Wharves for coal and lime at Warstock were later the venue for townees : meadows between canal and Chinn Brook were called 'Happy Valley', a fair-ground and boatyard being the attractions. Fairly well maintained by British Waterways as the link between the Worcester and Warwick Canals, the cut is used only by pleasure craft : for many decades it was not only a source of fuel and materials but a quick route to Birmingham market by 'flyboat'.