Tipton Gauging Station
Regular users may recall the meeting we had at Carrs Lane in October regarding boat gauging.
Concern was expressed during that meeting as to the grade status of theTipton Station.
Research has shown that the buildings were erected by the No 2 District of the BCN, and whilst searches are still in progress to discover the plans, it was felt that that current listing fell short of the eductational and heritage value of the structure.
As West Midlands Group Secretary, I have presented applications to English Heritage for the following
(1) That the listing be extended to the boat docks and entrance basin that were not mentioned in the original listing.
(2) That the whole structure be afforded 2* listing.
The second request is based on the educational value of the structure, in view of the reasons for its construction.
Research has also shown that Tipton and the upgraded Smethwick Station were put in place to gauge all boats by the dry inch system replacing the former method of indexing, or wet inch system. A Third Station at Salford Bridge was contemplated but not built.
These changes came well into the railway era, when some canal systems were in decline. The changes were considered so important that they were implemented with the backing of the London & North Western Railway.
They highlight the practices regarding the weighing of goods and minerals and despite statutory acts imposing imperial measures, canal traffic continued to use the longweight system for coal and ironstone, where a ton was adjusted to allow for loss.
Dry weight gauging was the most accurate method of boat gauging and the final adoption by the BCN of this system following on from the lead of other waterways was a step in the direction of a more fairer system and one that especially favoured the coal producers. In the past the system had favoured the coal users.
Even with the changes the BCN and other canal companies such as the Oxford continued with adjusted weights for a few more years until finally standard imperial was adopted.
Tipton is one of the few remaining enclosed gauging stations in the country and for the foregoing reasons its value in both the heritage and eductional fields should be considered enhanced.
Attached to the Tipton site is a strip of land where buildings once stood. This strip is located on the section abutting the roving bridge over the Junction. Here was located the Inspectors House and workshops for the No 2 District.
The BCN was divided into maintance districts. And once the Dudley and Wyrley & Essington Canals had been added to the system, they numbered 4, and later 5.
Each Inspectorate was responsible for the day today maintenance of the system under his control. These duties included the repair of bridges, locks and towpath walls as well a new minor works such as the building of new canal houses and towpath (side) bridges as well as the digging out of new basins.
The Tipton buildings survived through to the 1960's and with the help of Harry Arnold, it has been possible to identify some of them through his collection of photographs and maps.
They were pulled down, but once the site is developed an archeological survey might prove to be of benefit to show the extent of foundations surviving for the house and workshops.
Regarding the Tipton Station revised listing supporting correspondence addressed to
English Heritage
138-142 Holborn
London
EC1N 2ST
may assist the application
Best regards
Ray Shill
Industrial Historian
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