Salford Junction facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Salford Junction |
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To Fazeley ahead, to Bordesley Junction right
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| Specifications | |
| Status | Open |
| Navigation authority | Canal and River Trust |
| History | |
| Date completed | 1844 |
Salford Junction is a special place where three important canals meet. It's like a watery crossroads! These canals are the Grand Union Canal, the Tame Valley Canal, and the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal.
This junction is located in the northern part of Birmingham, England. It used to be a point where three different areas of land met. Today, it sits just east of the famous Gravelly Hill Interchange, also known as "Spaghetti Junction." Salford Junction is part of a bigger loop of canals in Birmingham, which has many miles of waterways.
Contents
The History of Salford Junction
How the Canals Joined Up
Salford Junction became a double junction on February 14, 1844. This is when the Grand Union Canal and the Tame Valley Canal connected with the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. Before this, the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal crossed the River Tame using a large aqueduct. An aqueduct is like a bridge that carries water. This one had seven arches.
The Old Salford Bridge
A bridge has been at this spot for a very long time. Records show a bridge here since 1536, during the time of King Henry VIII. However, people believe a bridge existed even earlier, around 1290.
The first mention of the bridge called it Shrafford Brugge. It was described as having four stone arches. The name "Shrafford" comes from an old Saxon word. It means "the ford by the caves." These caves were natural holes in a nearby hill. People used them as shelters during World War II air raids. They were removed when Spaghetti Junction was built.
Bridge Repairs and Destruction
The local area of Aston was supposed to fix the bridge if it broke. But during the English Civil War, soldiers called Roundheads destroyed it. The cost to repair it then fell to the whole county.
The bridge was rebuilt in 1810. It was changed from a footbridge to a road bridge. A man named John Couchman designed it. He was paid £3,800 for his work. This bridge carried a road that connected Birmingham to Lichfield. Sadly, this historic bridge was also destroyed when Spaghetti Junction was constructed.
Where is Salford Junction?
Salford Junction is located right under the huge M6 motorway. It's just east of the busy Gravelly Hill Interchange. This interchange is also known as "Spaghetti Junction" and is M6 Junction 6.
At Salford Junction, the Grand Union Canal meets the end of the Tame Valley Canal. It also connects with the Birmingham and Fazeley Canal. This canal goes south towards Birmingham and north-west towards Tamworth. Above the junction, you can see the busy roads of Birmingham's biggest motorway interchange. Below the junction, smaller rivers like the Hockley Brook and River Rea flow into the River Tame.
