This is a remarkable think, and what we consider to be the Black Cock Bridge from the southwestern side, just after construction. Note the cart-tracks. Picture located by Howmuch?

Here’s another gem from [Howmuch?], who’s found this wonderful photo in the archives at Lichfield. It took us a while to work out, as it was unlabelled, but it is, of course, the western approach to the Black Cock Bridge, Bullings Heath, Walsall Wood. We’ve discussed it at some length, and we think this is the ‘new’ (i.e. current) bridge, shortly after reconstruction. Note the cart tracks and what we think is a crab apple tree on the left. [Howmuch?] reckons he remembers that tree from his youth in the sixties; do any other folks remember it?

Since the revelation that the original brick-arch bridge was widened by two feet six inches, I went and had a gander. that would have made the original crossing just passable by a cart. I can see why they were clamouring to replace the original bridges. I’m interested in the construction of the current bridge, and wonder why the lefthand wing wall in the photo is asymmetrical to the righthand. It’s not just the photo, it’s like that physically.

Tantalisingly, there’s what appears to be a gentleman atop the bridge. Wonder who he was? It’s interesting to note the rough road surface. I bet the cart horses hated that hill – both ascending and descending.

More or less the same view a century later from Google Streetview.