 The canal was opened from Pelsall Junction to Rumer Hill Junction in 1858, and completed to Hednesford Basin in 1863.At the start of the extension programme, the Birmingham Canal Navigations and the Staffordshire and Worcestershire Canal agreed to build a link between the Cannock Extension Canal and the Hatherton Branch of the Staffordshire and Worcestershire.It already reached Churchbridge, and the connecting link only required a flight of thirteen locks to accommodate the difference in levels.