Delph Locks

 

Black Delph marked the division between the Stourbridge Canal to the south and the Dudley Canal to the north and was therefore technically a 'junction' although this is not apparent since the canals run straight into each other! The impressive flight of locks climbing straight up the hill are part of the Dudley Canal and are known locally as the 'Ninelocks'; another apparent mystery since boaters will be pleased to discover that there are only eight. The original locks built in 1779 by Thomas Dadford, engineer to the Dudley Canal Company, are just south of the present line - their remains can be seen among the trees and grassland.

 

Mining of the Thick Coal seam caused massive subsidence and in 1856 these locks had to be replaced. The old top and bottom locks were kept but the remainder were superseded by six new locks hence the eight locks in existence today. Half way up there is a block of stables once used for boat horses and nearby, alongside the old canal, the former lock keeper's cottage can be seen. Delph Road which crosses the canal below the locks has been described as the 'real ales riviera' of Dudley due to the number and variety of the pubs along its length as it runs parallel to the canal.