The Bond - So called because it was once a 'Bonded' warehouse (where imported goods were stored before import tax/duty was assessed and charged), now the home to many small businesses. Image Date: 12/08/2005

End of The Line - Unfortunately I’m not totally sure about this railway line oddity that branches off at Bordesley Station; I have heard many different reasons as to why it was never completed, apparently disputes between the rail companies was the cause. So where was the line going? Some say it was to connect the London and Liverpool line to Saltley Station, some say Snow Hill Station, and some say Curzon Street Station, I don't know, and have been unable to source accurate information about it. Only a short section beyond this point remains - see next image. Image Date: 30/03/2009

Continuation of the line, the arch to the left spans the Digbeth Branch Canal – see next image. Image Date: 30/03/2009

The Digbeth Branch Canal - Under the Railway Line That Never Was, the building with the dark grey roof and 4 skylights is The Bond, with canalside access to Granville Wharf. Image taken from the bridge on Great Barr Street. Image Date: 12/08/2005

Curzon Street Station - Built in 1838 it was used as a passenger link for London, however the LNWR company wanted a 'more central' station for Birmingham and in 1846 the building of New Street Station started. The operational completion in 1854 meant that the Curzon Street Station would now only be used for goods; it remained this way until it was closed in 1966. Image Date: 10/07/2008

This land is where HS2 station is being built. To the right of the picture is the Eagle and Tun public house (demolished October 2020) - famous for its UB40 connection. The building in the background is Millennium Point (science museum). Image Date: 05/10/2009

South Tower - One of the first tower blocks to be built in Birmingham, situated on the corner of Little Hall Road and Great Francis Street, Nechells, it was completed in 1953. I am surprised that it is still standing since Birmingham City Council appears to have this penchant for demolishing any building over 40 years old. Image Date: 27/05/2012

Built in 1963 (opened in 1964), Duddeston Manor Bi-Lateral School merged the nearby Loxton Street Boys, and Bloomsbury Street Girls schools. It dropped the 'Bi-Lateral' part circa 1980, and then changed its name again to become Heartlands Academy. A group of pupils that attended the school formed Musical Youth, a reggae band that made the school famous in 1982 when their song 'Pass the Dutchie' went to number one in the charts. I’m not famous – but I did attend the school between 1969-1974, and like many other former pupils I refer to it as 'Duddy Manor'. The school closed in July 2012, and has since been demolished; the building on the left of the picture is its replacement, I didn’t take a full photo of it because it’s still being built – and anyway, the new build looks like a warehouse or detention centre – nothing like a school. Images of the last open day at 'Duddy' can be found Here. Image Date: 27/05/2012

Birmingham & Fazeley Canal as viewed from Dartmouth Middleway looking towards the bridge over Richard Street. The building to the left is Hotel Campanile. Image Date: 16/08/2010

Birmingham & Fazeley Canal as viewed from the bridge on Richard Street looking towards Dartmouth Middleway. The building in the middle of this image is Hotel Campanile; the building to the far left is Aston University. Image Date: 29/04/2009