Oldbury (Sandwell)Smethwick

Oldsme one
Verified route

Verified Slow Way

Verified by 87.50% of reviewers

By a Slow Ways Volunteer on 07 Apr 2021


Distance

4km/3mi

Ascent

50m

Descent

52m

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Description

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Oldbury (Sandwell) and Smethwick.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

This is a Slow Ways route connecting Oldbury (Sandwell) and Smethwick.

Know of a better route? Share it here.

Status

This route has been reviewed by 8 people.

This route has potentially been flagged (1 time) for reasons relating to access.

Photos for Oldsme one

Photos of this route will appear when they are added to a review. You can review this route here.


Information

Verified route

Route status - Live

Reviews - 8

Average rating -

Is this route good enough? -  Yes (7) Maybe (1)

Problems reported -  Access (1)

Downloads - 5

Surveys

What is this route like?

Surveys are submitted by fellow users of this website and show what you might expect from this Slow Ways route. Scroll down the page to read more detailed surveys.

Grade 2X based on 1 surveys Sign up or log in to survey this route.
Description Note
Grade 2: Mostly smooth and compacted surfaces, but there may be some loose gravel, muddy patches or cobbles.
Access grade X: At least one stile, flight of steps or other obstacle that is highly likely to block access for wheelchair and scooter users.
Grading is based on average scores by surveyors. This slow way has 1 surveys.
Full grading description

Only people who have completed our training can become Slow Ways surveyors and submit a survey. We do not vet contributors, so we cannot guarantee the quality or completeness of the surveys they complete. If you are dependent on the information being correct we recommend reading and comparing surveys before setting off.

Survey Photos

Facilities

Facilities in the middle third of this route.

Not present at time of survey Public toilet (1)
Not present at time of survey Wheelchair accessible toilet (1)
Present at time of survey Supermarket (1)
Present at time of survey Restaurant (1)
Maybe present Vegan restaurant (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation (1)
Not present at time of survey Accommodation < £50 (1)
Not present at time of survey Campsite (1)
Not present at time of survey Bothy (1)
Not present at time of survey Free wifi (1)
Not present at time of survey Public phone (1)
Present at time of survey Mobile phone coverage (1)
Present at time of survey Train station (1)
Not present at time of survey Bench (1)
Not present at time of survey Picnic table (1)
Present at time of survey Bus stop (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry (1)

Challenges

Potential challenges reported on this route. Some challenges are seasonal.

Not present at time of survey Scrambling (1)
Not present at time of survey Wading (1)
Not present at time of survey Swimming (1)
Not present at time of survey Climbing (1)
Not present at time of survey Stepping stones (1)
Maybe present Very slippery (1)
Not present at time of survey Very muddy (1)
Maybe present Very icy (1)
Not present at time of survey Likely to flood (1)
Not present at time of survey Long grass sections (1)
Not present at time of survey Crops encroaching on path (1)
Maybe present Diverted path (1)

Obstacles

Obstacles on this route.

Not present at time of survey Stiles (1)
Present at time of survey Step and kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Possible to avoid steps, if applicable (1)
Present at time of survey Flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Gates (1)
Present at time of survey Kissing gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Locked gates (1)
Not present at time of survey Disables access gates (1)
Present at time of survey Cycle barriers (1)
Not present at time of survey Ladders (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle grids (1)
Not present at time of survey Fords (1)
Not present at time of survey Narrow bridges (1)
Not present at time of survey Ferry required (1)
Present at time of survey Acceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Unacceptable road walking (1)
Not present at time of survey Dangerous road crossings (1)
Present at time of survey Walking on paths beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Walking on verges beside roads (1)
Not present at time of survey Railway crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey River crossings (1)
Not present at time of survey Cattle possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Horses possible (1)
Not present at time of survey Tidal area (1)
Present at time of survey Potential falls (1)
Not present at time of survey Exposed to elements (1)
Not present at time of survey Remote area (1)
Not present at time of survey Mountainous area (1)
Not present at time of survey Military training area (1)
Not present at time of survey No visible path (1)
Not present at time of survey Seasonal nesting birds (1)
Not present at time of survey Other hazards (1)

Accessibility

Is this route step and stile free?

Present at time of survey Free of stiles (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of single steps/kerbs (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of flights of steps (1)
Not present at time of survey Free of other obstacles (1)

Measurements

Surveyors were asked to measure the narrowest and steepest parts of paths.

The narrowest part of the path is 80.0cm (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking East 19.0% (1)

The steepest uphill gradient walking West 19.0% (1)

The steepest camber: no data

How clear is the waymarking on the route: Clear (1)

Successfully completed

We asked route surveyors "Have you successfully completed this route with any of the following? If so, would you recommend it to someone with the same requirements?". Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Recommended by an expert

We asked route surveyors "Are you a trained access professional, officer or expert? If so, is this route suitable for someone travelling with any of the following?" Here is how they replied.

Small Pug-sized dog (0)
Small Labrador-sized dog (0)
Large St. Bernard-sized dog (0)
Standard pram (0)
Off-road rugged pram (0)
Standard wheelchair (0)
Off-road rugged wheelchair (0)
Standard mobility scooter (0)
Off-road rugged mobility scooter (0)

Terrain

We asked route surveyors to estimate how much of the route goes through different kinds of terrain.

There is no data on how much of this route is on roads

There is no data on how much of this route is lit at night

Thereis no data on amount of route paved

There is no data on muddiness

There is no data on rough ground

There is no data on long grass

Report a problem with this data

1 surveys

Information from verified surveys.

2X January 2024 by Mary Oz
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Geography information system (GIS) data

Total length

Maximum elevation

Minimum elevation

Start and end points

Oldbury (Sandwell)
Grid Ref SO9896489503
Lat / Lon 52.50344° / -2.01669°
Easting / Northing 398,964E / 289,503N
What3Words funded.eagles.exams
Smethwick
Grid Ref SP0200288710
Lat / Lon 52.49631° / -1.97193°
Easting / Northing 402,002E / 288,710N
What3Words fears.dark.wage

Oldsme One's land is

Urban 100.0%

Data: Corine Land Cover (CLC) 2018

reviews


Mary Oz

15 Jan 2024 Winter

This is a great route, but I feel I need to fail it because of a towpath closure which has existed for ten months and Canal and River Trust have still not given a date for reopening. See Oldsme Two for the diverted route, and further details.


Hiking Historian

30 Oct 2023 Autumn

A good straightforward route, mostly using the canal. But, as we'll see, it's foot-only.

From the centre of Oldbury, where there are bus stops and shops, we walk past the railway station, then down a road between the car park, Network Rail and the police station. The pavement on this road lacks ramps at the crossings, so it's not good for wheeled users. At the end of the road, down a ramp and we're onto the Birmingham Canal.

A good tarmac footpath, although muddy in places, we swop sides at the next footbridge. At time of survey, just past the motorway, the towpath ahead is closed due to a dangerous building; there is a diversion in place that takes us along the higher branch of the canal, beneath the motorway viaduct. We rejoin the route from the next road bridge, a ramp down to the towpath.

It's a pleasant walk along a deep canal cutting, with buildings and trees above our heads. Underneath Galton Bridge, we enter a tunnel; it's not too long, but it is a little dark. Once at other end, we walk as far as the pumping station (now a museum), where we go up steps to the higher branch. More or less straight after, another set of stairs to the road. As the road turns, we take a footbridge over the railway and main road (with steps), which brings us to the end near shops, bus stops and the local gurdwara.

A good, short canal walk, but a multitude of steps does mean it is foot-only, as already mentioned.


Steve Litchfield

08 May 2023 Spring

I walked this route west from Smethwick today. The route is predominantly along the canal and has lots of interest along it's relatively short distance. Most of the pavement walking is done on the Oldbury side after leaving the canal, and is the only reason I haven't given this five stars.

After leaving the start in Smethwick (photo 1), a footbridge with steps (photo 2) seems the only way to get to the canal towpath. The towpath can be reached via either exit from the Brasshouse Lane road bridge, but I took the west path towards the 'New Smethwick Pump House' (photo 3) to take a closer look. You have to take a further ramp down to the deeper Telford canal (photo 4) to follow this route.

As soon as you exit the Galton Tunnel, the route takes you under the impressive Galton Bridge (photo 5). As mentioned by previous reviews, the short section between the Steward Aqueduct (photo 7) & Spon Lane junction is still closed at this time , with the easy to navigate detour still in place (photo 8).

The route is quickly regained and takes you under the tall M5 bridge (photo 9), before soon arriving at the bridge to take you to the opposite side of the canal (photo 10). You leave the canal at the A4034 bridge (photo 12), and the final two thirds of a mile take you past Sandwell & Dudley rail station (photo 13) on the way into Oldbury town centre.

The walk is relatively straightforward, with even the detour not providing too much hassle. There are plenty of steps involved, and some of the ramps to bridges on the towpath were a bit greasy in the wet, so care is needed on the inclines. An enjoyable enough walk along the canal, which I can recommend.


Swebbews

15 Sep 2022 Summer

Although this route is very much in the heart of the Black Country, it was a delightful walk along the canal that was for the most part very quiet.
Previous reviewers noted the temporary closure of the footpath between Spon Lane and Steward Aqueduct; as of mid-September it’s still closed, and shows no indications of reopening any time soon. The diversion along the older (pre-Telford) canal was however very easy to follow, and did not detract from an enjoyable afternoon.


Saira

08 Aug 2022 Summer

I walked this route on 6.08.22. It's a brilliant Slow Way and I don't have much to add to the below reviews! The tow path was temporarily closed between Steward Aqueduct and Spon Lane due to a crumbling wall, but you can easily rejoin the path at Spon Lane. This route is lovely, lots to see and sensory in many ways - tunnel light and acoustics, sound of water and birdsong. Magic! Would defo recommend.


Dave4

24 Oct 2021 Autumn

I can't add anything to the reviews above by Pddys and David - a really good Slow Ways route. Thoroughly enjoyed walking it.


David Sanderson

24 Oct 2021 Autumn

One of the best Slow Ways I've ever walked! A joy to walk and scores highly in the qualities a Slow Way should have. The walk out of Oldbury is fairly functional along the main road but having the passed Sandwell and Dudley Railway Station (direct trains to Edinburgh and London, not just local stations) you walk down the side of the car park and follow a track to the towpath of the main branch of the Birmingham Canal. The walk from there was incredibly relaxing. The faint sound of the M5 (even as you walk under it) and the occasional clatter of passing trains on the early evening autumn wind accompanying a walk through the wooded scene. Nature abounds, and it was particularly joyous to see our first cormorant of the day. That's the walk basically, until you get to Smethwick where you take steps to climb the bank, cross a road and then a pedestrian bridge on to the High Street. Smethwick offers some good food options, (there was a queue at the Sweet Centre). In 4km, 3 of which are offroad, you access bus routes, 3 railway stations (Galton Bridge is accessible via steps from the canal and Rolfe Street is at the end of the route), wildlife, industrial history (Galton Valley Pumping Station) and it's one of the easiest Slow Ways I've ever had to follow! Magic! Full marks.


Pddys

02 Oct 2021 Autumn

A short and sweet route mostly following canal towpath.

The route passes many significant pieces of urban canal infrastructure - both modern and historical. This includes going underneath the M5 and the Spon Lane junction, underneath Smethwick Galton Bridge, through the Summit tunnel, underneath the Summit Bridge, and past the Galton Valley Pumping Station, and some Ironworks bridges.


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Overall ratings

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Oldbury (Sandwell)—Smethwick

Oldsme two

Distance

5km/3mi

Ascent

-

Descent

-

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