Darlaston Brook

The Darlaston Brook is a tributary of the River Tame in Bilston, Darlaston, and Moxley, West Midlands, England.

Etymology

Darlaston Brook takes its name from Darlaston, through which it flows before joining the River Tame.

History

The Darlaston Brook forms the boundary between Willenhall and Darlaston. As early as the 17th century, early coal surface mining and iron working began along the banks, using Darlaston Brook for basic industrial processing and mill operations. By 1830, the Anson Branch encroached upon Darlaston Brook causing the course of Darlaston Brook to be altered.

Much of it was culverted, including the confluence with Bilston Brook, during efforts to clear pollution during the 20th century (including in 1974), and also when the Black Country Route road system was constructed during the 1990s.

Course

The source is culverted and it is on the border between Moxley and Darlaston (). It is then first visible above ground at The Lunt, adjacent to the Walsall Canal ().

It then branches and meets the Bilston Brook at the culverted confluence point along Birmingham Street, Darlaston (). The confluence with the River Tame is located under a road bridge near MGR FC's The Paddock ground (), and the River Tame then continues along Bentley Mill Way, Darlaston (), where it is visible from both sides of the road.