Birmingham Level (New) Main Line (BCN)

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The new Birmingham Main Line opened in 1829 and was 5 miles and 5 hours shorter than the original route.

James Brindley’s original 1769 canal was a "contour canal" which looped around the contours to avoid gradients.

in 1824 Thomas Telford drew up plans to straighten the canal using aqueducts across valleys and cuttings through higher land. It also had towpaths on both sides so that the boatmen did not have to carry out complicated manoeuvres with their towropes every time they met a boat travelling in the opposite direction.
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Coordinates:   52°30'49"N   2°1'0"W
This article was last modified 12 years ago