History of the Rushall Canal

The Rushall Canal runs from Longwood Junction to Rushall, or Newton, Junction on the Tame Valley Canal. Starting in sylvan greenery it drops through nine locks to meet with the Tame Valley under the M6 at Ray Hall and was known by working boatmen as ‘The Ganzies'.

The line was built in 1847 and created a link from the coalfields of Cannock to the expanding industries of Birmingham. It also provided a source of water for the Tame Valley Canal that at the time was being used by hundreds of boats per month.

Near the top of the line is the site of the former Walsall Airport. Opened in 1930 it was home to frequent air displays including one at which Amy Johnson crashed. Spitfires were repaired and maintained here in World War II.