The Newport Branch of the Birmingham & Liverpool Junction Canal was authorised in 1827 but not completed until 1835. The engineer was Thomas Telford and the contractor was William Provis. At Wappenshall Junction it met the earlier Shrewsbury Canal. The last recorded commerci\al use was in 1944, which was also the year it was closed by Act of Parliament, though the occasional private boats successfully ventured down during the next few years. The land was hastily sold, mainly to neighbouring farmers, in the mid-1960s, just when interest in reviving it had started.
Norbury Junction looking down the Newport Branch through footbridge No 1. 10 June 1970
Norbury Junction looking down the Newport Branch through footbridge No 1. 10 June 1970
Norbury Junction looking down the Newport Branch. 10 June 1970
Norbury Junction looking down the Newport Branch. 10 June 1970
Norbury Junction towards Bridge 1, with wooden ice breaker
The icebreaker, 'Marbury', has been restored and is now at Ellesmere Port.Norbury Junction towards Bridge 1, with wooden ice breaker
Norbury lock cottage (2022)
Typical Telford design, similar to the tollhouses on the Holyhead Road.Norbury lock cottage (2022)
Looking along derelict Newport branch from Norbury lock 4 to lock 3
Looking along derelict Newport branch from Norbury lock 4 to lock 3
Norbury Flight: Lock 5 (1960)
From Bridge 3, looking east towards Lock 4. (15 May 1960)Norbury Flight: Lock 5 (1960)
Norbury Flight: ice-breaker at Oulton Lock (7) (1967)
Looking east twards Lock 6. [Photographer and copyright holder: John Howat]Norbury Flight: ice-breaker at Oulton Lock (7) (1967)
Norbury Flight: Oulton Lock Cottage and ice-breaker (1967)
The cottage was later demolished. The ice-breaker is 'Marbury', now restored and at Ellesmere Port. [Photographer and copyright holder: John Howat]Norbury Flight: Oulton Lock Cottage and ice-breaker (1967)
Norbury Flight: Oulton Lock Cottage (1966)
Later demolished. [Photographer and copyright holder: John Howat]Norbury Flight: Oulton Lock Cottage (1966)
Norbury Flight: Lock 7 (1960)
Looking east towards Lock 6. (15 May 1960)Norbury Flight: Lock 7 (1960)
Norbury Flight - Oulton Bridge (4) 1967
[Photographer and copyright holder: John Howat]Norbury Flight - Oulton Bridge (4) 1967
Norbury Flight: Oulton Bridge (4) (1967)
[Photographer and copyright holder: John Howat]Norbury Flight: Oulton Bridge (4) (1967)
Norbury Flight: Lock 12 (1961)
From Bridge 5, looking east towards Locks 11 & 10. (21 May 1961)Norbury Flight: Lock 12 (1961)
Norbury Flight: Lock 14 (1955)
From Bridge 6, looking east towards Lock 13 and Bridge 5. (7 August 1955)Norbury Flight: Lock 14 (1955)
Norbury Flight: Lock 15 and Bridge 6 (1961)
Lock 14 visible under bridge. (21 May 1961)Norbury Flight: Lock 15 and Bridge 6 (1961)
Norbury Flight: Lock 17 (1961)
Looking east towards Lock 16 and Bridge 6. (21 May 1961)Norbury Flight: Lock 17 (1961)
