Two little known fact about canals in Birmingham

[pkersteve]

Hi there folks, I just thought I'd share a couple of interesting, but little known facts about canals in Birmingham.

Birmingham has more miles of navigable canals than Venice Italy. When they were originally built in the 1800's the path along the canal was installed for the horses to pull the narrow boats along the canal, to this day it's still called the tow path or bridle path, but one of the few things NOT allowed on it are .... you guessed it, horses.

You are not allowed to ride or lead a horse on the tow path of a canal in the UK. Bunty's (engineless boats) have to be towed by a powered boat, or pulled along manually.

Ironic isn't it.

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Two little known fact about canals in Birmingham

A little too ironic... Dont ya think?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Two little known fact about canals in Birmingham

It's like rain on your wedding day; a free ride when you're going any way.......

 

[Doernuth]

Re: Two little known fact about canals in Birmingham

In northeast Ohio we have the Erie and Ohio canals. Same thing, the towpath is now for biking/jogging/walking and no horses are allowed.

The canals are no longer used for commerce and the public has spend $$$ restoring them to look nice.

 

[TMoNeE]

Re: Two little known fact about canals in Birmingham

It's like rain on your wedding day; a free ride when you're going any way.......

A free ride when you've already paid