[2] The canal company had made a number of additions to their system in the 1840s, which had been successful in generating new traffic, and they embarked on another programme in 1854.

Traffic down through the Churchbridge lock flight, which originated on the Extension Canal, was around 12,000 tons per month in 1902.

The canal side walls near Leacroft Wharf had to be rebuilt in 1934 after severe damage from subsidence.

At Northwood Bridge, there were two pairs of gates, one facing in each direction, which were designed to close if there was a large flow of water.

In 1960, part of the canal sunk by 21 feet (6.4 m), and commercial traffic effectively stopped the following year because of the problems.

Pelsall Common North is a local nature reserve covering 92 acres (37 ha) to the west of the canal.

Beyond, much of the canal was on high embankments, raised to combat subsidence, but traffic no longer justified the costs of maintenance, and the northerly section was closed in 1963.

Immediately after the basin entrance, Washbrook Lane crossed at High Bridge, and then the thirteen locks of the Churchbridge Branch turned off at Rumer Hill Junction, descending in a straight line to the south west.

[12] At Rumer Hill, a short spur was connected to a railway which ran to Mid Cannock Colliery, which was disused by 1888.

The middle one was near the hamlet of Mill Green, and its site now lies beneath the roundabout where the A460 and the A5190 Lichfield Road meet.

The London and North Western Railway Norton Extension Branch crossed at an angle, and there was one more bridge before the two basins at Hednesford.