THe canals were part of the reason that helped Birmingham to be the real start of the English Industrial Revolution. The itroduction of steam power into factories enabled mass production and the canals were the mass transit systems of their day. In Birmingham the previosly hidden and decaying canals have been restored both for pleasure narrowboating and as pleasant walks on sunny afternoons. The situation of excellent pubs like the Malt House to the right of the bridge in the image, adds to the pleasure of the afternoon perambulations.