Wyrely and Essington Canal - Ogley Junction

A quick trip to Ogley Basin as we left the Anglesey Branch of the Wyrley and Essington Canal

After our overnight sojourn and exploration of the area around Anglesey Basin and Chasewater Reservoir we left our mooring in sunshine.

Anglesey WharfLooking back at our mooring and towards Anglesey Basin

Looking forward The Anglesey Branch and towpath

Freeth BridgeFreeth Bridge in the sun

John let me off Epiphany at Anglesey Bridge, just before Ogley Junction, as I wanted to take a few photos. So I walked along the tow path and onto the Junction entrance foot bridge.

Basin and boatsThe Basin at Ogley Junction

Ogley Junction was where the Wyrley and Essington Main Line descended 7 miles through 30 locks to the Coventry Canal at Huddlesford Junction. It is now blocked off and there is a Garden Centre built on the old first lock. We passed the other end in March last year when we were on the Coventry Canal.

signpostHuddlesford Junction signpost in March 2009, "Ogley JCN No Access"

Huddlesford JunctionNarrowboats moored in Lichfield Canal at Huddlesford Junction

The canal was abandoned in 1955 and the canal bed has been filled in. The Lichfield Canal (as it is now called) is being restored by the Lichfield and Hatherton Trust as well as the Hatherton Canal from the Staffs and Worcs canal at Calf Heath to the main Line of the Wyrley and Essington.

The restoration follows a lot of the original line and the Lichfield and Hatherton Canal Trust website is very interesting with maps and photos of the restoration progress.

The Junction signpost has an attached plate inscribed "being", ready to be removed once the restoration is complete - possibly in 2025.

signpostJunction signpost

So my curiosity was satisfied. John brought Epiphany around the corner to pick me up and we continued on our way to Catshill Junction, to turn onto the Daw End Branch.

Junction bridgeOgley Junction and footbridge over entrance

I took a last look back at the Horseley Works iron bridge over the entrance and wondered if we would ever enter under the bridge to cruise down to Huddlesford!

John on EpiphanyJohn rounding the corner by the Junction

Catshill JunctionApproaching Catshill Junction to turn left

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