Built in 1844, as a by pass to the BCN, where traffic had reached grid lock at the Farmers Bridge Locks. Much like the M6 toll road was built to reduce the grid lock on the M6 above you.
This canal, unlike the Daw End Branch (a contour canal) made the most of the advances in civil engineering that had taken place in the previous 40 years. It strikes a straight line towards its destination.
From Salford Junction, the canal follows the M6 until the Perry Bar Locks. It meets the moterway for a short while by Rushall Junction,
passing Wednesbury the canal links with the Walsall Canal at the Tame Valley Junction, also called the Doe Bank Junction.
The book "The Birmingham Canal Navigations" by the Birmingham Branch I.W.A, gives more information on this canal.