Delph Locks (Brierley Hill (District of)) | lock (water navigation)

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Black Delph marks the division between the Stourbridge Canal to the south and the Dudley No. 1 Canal to the north and is therefore technically a 'junction'.

Delph is a medieval word, meaning "to dig", suggesting that coal mining activity started in this area at an early date.

The "9 Locks" actually only comprise 8 locks now, as the original ones (built in 1779 by Thomas Dadford) had to be rebuilt in 1856 owing to the massive subsidence caused by mining of the Thick Coal seam. The old top and bottom locks were retained, but the others were replaced by six new locks.

The remains of some of the original flight can still be seen nearby, and half way up there is a block of stables once used for boat horses

The flight rises from the 356 ft Stourbridge level to the 441 ft level of the Dudley No. 1 canal. Care needs to be taken to avoid flooding the pounds on the way down. The overspills are spectacular waterfalls after periods of heavy rain.