Before 1750 Birmingham's central position in Britain was a disadvantage. But then the canals were built (See Picture). When finished in 1769 these were to highly beneficial Birmingham's growth because heavy industry (for example steal manufacturing) required vast amounts of coal, to melt the iron so that it could be fused with other chemicals. Birmingham built its industry on iron, gun making this would also need vast amounts of coal to melt the metal for moulding (which would have probably been created nearby). Birmingham also was positioned very close to the Black Country. This part of the country was rich in coal and iron deposits. Birmingham was also positioned by the rivers Rea and Tame these were important because heavy industry (especially metal) requires water for their processes and the rivers for a type of free liquid rubbish collection.

Today Birmingham's canal network is integral to city centre redevelopment. Since the second world war the canals have been ignored. Until the 1970s the full social potential was noticed. In the 1970s an ongoing program was commissioned that was to change the face of Birmingham's canal system. It was an instance of the Birmingham City Council, the Department of the Environment and the British Waterways Board all working together to the better city. In the 1980s the towpaths were rebuilt and access to the canals was improved by the addition many bridges and reopening of many pathways and access points. This program also included cleaning the waters so that they could once again be used by long boats, but this time they would not be captained by workers but by enthusiasts and day trippers and no longer powered by horses but powered by diesel engines.