Built between 1783 and 1799, the canal passes through what was a very industrial area and has very few access points to the local streets.
In the Birmingham Canal Navigations guide, there is a warning about not descending Ashted Lock No:1 until you have checked whether there is another boat in the tunnel.
If there is, wait.
Otherwise one boat will have to reverse as there is no passing place.
If approaching from the opposite direction, do not enter the tunnel if a boat is descending the lock,
(the rush of water from the lock out of the tunnel, is a warning to wait).
The guide also warns about not passing to the right of the stop lock island where the canal joins the Grand Union Canal at The Typhoo Basin, also called Digbeth Junction. There is apparently a weir just below the surface.
At the Typhoo Basin, you can see the back of Birminghams Gun Barrel Proof House.
The book "The Birmingham Canal Navigations" by the Birmingham Branch I.W.A, gives more information on this canal.