Geograph - photograph every grid square

Stepping through the door of the high wall on Gas Street took one into a private & totally different world, completely cut off from the hustle & bustle of Broad Street.

In 1968 it was still the world (just) of working narrow boats & there was no indication what so ever of the transformation that was to come to Gas Street Basin. The Birmingham & Midland Carrying Company had been formed by enthusiasts in 1965 & a few of its boats could be found in the basin although in truth I think there was little trade for them by then.

Gas Street marked the point at which the Worcester & Birmingham Canal joined the Birmingham Canal Navigation & each company had its own basin separated by the Worcester Bar. Initially there was no connection between the 2 canals - the BCN refused it because of the fear of losing water to the W&B and any transhipment between boats had to be made manually. In 1815 an Act of Parliament allowed a connection to be made but with a stop lock to minimise water loss. This lock has long since been removed.