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History of the Droitwich Barge Canal
The Droitwich Barge Canal was opened in 1771 and as with many of the most important canals, was built by James Brindley. At six miles long, it linked the centre of Droitwich with the navigable River Severn six miles away and its primary purpose was transportation of salt, a booming production at this time.
Over half a century later, due to competition from the Stoke Works salt production factory as well as from the railways, resulted in the construction of the Droitwich Junction Canal, opened in 1854. This linked the Droitwich Barge Canal to the Worcester and Birmingham Canal at Hanbury Wharf, about one and a quarter miles away. This was one of the last canals to be built in England.
