The search for the Lost West Smethwick Brook continues, following a forgotten watercourse that once formed part of the boundary between Staffordshire and Worcestershire.
In Part 2 of this investigation, I pick up the search at West Smethwick Park and follow the evidence towards Oldbury Road.
Searching West Smethwick Park
Part 1 examined the watercourse around Smethwick Hall Park and West Smethwick Park. This second part begins with a closer look inside the park itself.
A boardwalk crosses a hidden watercourse, and following the water leads to the boating lake.
The Brook Leaves the Park
Beyond West Smethwick Park, the suspected route continues through Oldbury Cemetery.
Here the brook disappears underground, and another culvert beneath the cemetery shows how the watercourse was hidden as the area developed.
Rood End Road and the Titford Canal
The trail continues along Rood End Road towards the Titford Canal, raising an important question: does the brook join the canal?
From there, the search follows Fisher Road.
Finding the Brook Again
On the Oldbury Road Industrial Estate, after a long search, the brook appears again.
The walk ends at Oldbury Road and Beresford Road, where the investigation continues in Part 3.
Reading the Landscape
Once part of the historic boundary between Staffordshire and Worcestershire, much of this watercourse has disappeared beneath the modern landscape.
Comparing the landscape with historic mapping helps reveal surviving traces of the brook, and where sections were culverted or lost beneath later development.
Watch the Full Story
In this episode, we follow the suspected route from West Smethwick Park towards Oldbury Road using historic maps, evidence on the ground and exploration on location.
This is Part 2 of a five-part investigation. Part 3 continues the search from Oldbury Road.
Do You Remember the Brook?
If you remember the brook, know anything about the old watercourses around West Smethwick and Oldbury, or have photographs, maps or memories that could help, I would particularly like to hear from you.
Every piece of local knowledge could help uncover another part of this forgotten piece of Smethwick and Sandwell history.