Galton Valley Pumping Station, Smethwick - A Sandwell and West Midlands Gem!

The Galton Valley Pumping Station is situated in Smethwick, Sandwell between the New Main Line (Birmingham Level) and Old Main Line (Wolverhampton Level) of the Birmingham Canal.


Where is the Galton Valley Pumping Station?

The Galton Valley Pumping Station is near Brasshouse Lane, Smethwick B66 1BA. But is between the New Main Line and Old Main Line of the Birmingham Canal Navigations in Smethwick.

 

In brief

A pumping house completed in 1892 between Smeaton's Old Main Line on the Wolverhampton Level and Telford's New Main Line on the Birmingham Level. It is now a museum and is Grade II listed. Was also called the Smethwick New Pumping House.

Smethwick Pumping HouseSmethwick New Pumping House (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

Smethwick New Pumping House - history

North of the pumping house is the Old Main Line (Wolverhampton Level) of the Birmingham Canal, engineered by John Smeaton in Smethwick, and to the south is the New Main Line (Birmingham Level) engineered by Thomas Telford.

Smethwick Pumping HouseView of the chimney of the Smethwick New Pumping House (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It was built in 1892 of brick with a slate roof, one storey to the Old Main Line with two storeys to the New Main Line. It was engineered by G. R. Jebb.

Smethwick Pumping HouseSmethwick New Pumping House between the New and Old Main Line's (June 2012). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

This pumping house replaced two earlier pumping stations on the Engine Arm of the Birmingham Canal.

Smethwick New Pumping HouseSmethwick New Pumping House on the Old Main Line (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

It had two vertical compound engines driving centrifugal pumps capable of lifting 200 locks per day. 

Smethwick New Pumping HouseSmethwick New Pumping House on the Old Main Line (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

One engine was removed in 1905 for use at Bentley, the other remaining one being in use until the early 1920s.

Smethwick New Pumping HouseSmethwick New Pumping House on the New Main Line (November 2017). Photography by Elliott Brown

 

After WW2 the building fell into disrepair and in 1946 all equipment was removed.

The pumping house has been a Grade II listed building since 1978, the roof was repaired in 1985.

More restorations took place during the 1980s and 1990s and it was finished by 2000.

It is now maintained by Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council and operated as a museum called the Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre.

 

Travel details

Free car park in the area.

Closest railway station is at Smethwick Rolfe Street Station.

 

Access

Free entry, with seasonal opening hours.

The centre is usually open on one Saturday per month between April and October from 10 am to 3 pm.

 

Contact details

Galton Valley Canal Heritage Centre

Brasshouse Lane

Smethwick

West Midlands

B66 1DS

Project dates

21 Feb 2023 - On-going

Passions

History & heritage, Rivers, lakes & canals, Classic Architecture

Contact

Your Place Your Space

Jonathan Bostock

0121 410 5520
jonathan.bostock@ yourplaceyourspace.com