Which City Has The Most Canals?
Birmingham is home to 35 miles of canals. This amount, according to some sources, exceeds that of Venice. The canals are enjoyed by cyclists, walkers and narrowboat owners and serve as a reminder to a rich industrial past.
The canals had a massive impact on the Industrial Revolution, transporting heavy items such as coal and iron. The canals played an important role in developing Birmingham and the Black Country.
The Birmingham Canal Navigations is more than 100 miles long. The city is home to the Grand Union Canal, Worcester & Birmingham Canal, Stourbridge Canal and the Stratford Canal. For your own canal experience, consider Cheshire canal boat hire from cheshirenarrowboat.com/
The majority of canals were constructed between the 1700s and 1800s. At its peak, the network contained more than 170 miles of them. The Duke of Bridgewater’s Canal was one of the first canals to be constructed. The Duke’s coal was transported miles from the mines to Manchester. The project was completed in 1761, and the majority of engineering work was planned by James Brindley.
During 170 years, the canal network was a hive of activity. The tonnage carried by the canal system increased towards the end of the 19th century, reaching eight and half million tons in 1898.
Canal use decreased as the industries of canals declined, and the railways and road systems took over long-distance transportation. By 1980, all commercial traffic had stopped. Canals began to deteriorate over time. Many canals have been renovated and improved by parkland and housing, as well as many modern and stunning developments. This has created vibrant, lively areas, with restaurants, bars, and entertainment.
