Many thanks to The Canal and River Trust for facilitating this camera's location and capitally funding its installation. The Farson Digital webcam is there to monitor the River Severn river levels. The Diglis Locks, situated on the River Severn, are the sole pair of locks along its course. The smaller lock measures 20 feet (6 meters) in width and 98 feet (30 meters) in length, making it spacious enough to accommodate 12 double-decker buses. Among the 1,650 locks under the care of British Waterways, the Diglis Locks are recognized as two of the deepest. To access the Worcester and Birmingham Canal from the Severn, one must ascend either of the two pairs of locks that lead up from the river.The River Severn, stretching approximately 220 miles, holds the distinction of being the longest river in Great Britain, although it ranks as the second longest among the British Isles, trailing behind the River Shannon. Its source can be found at an elevation of 610 meters on Plynlimon, Ceredigion near Llanidloes, Powys, within the Cambrian Mountains of mid Wales. Flowing through Shropshire, Worcestershire, and Gloucestershire, the river passes by the county towns of Shrewsbury, Gloucester, and the cathedral city of Worcester. With an average discharge of 107 m³/s at Apperley, Gloucestershire, the Severn boasts the highest water flow among rivers in England and Wales.The Worcester and Birmingham Canal serves as a vital waterway connecting Birmingham and Worcester in England. Originating in Worcester as an offshoot of the River Severn, just beyond the river lock, it terminates at Gas Street Basin in Birmingham, spanning a length of 29 miles (47 km). The canal comprises a total of 58 locks, including the Tardebigge Locks, a remarkable flight of locks considered one of the longest in Europe, totaling 30 locks in succession. Over the course of its route, the canal ascends by 428 feet (130 m) from Worcester to Birmingham. It also forms connections with the Stratford-upon-Avon Canal and the restored Droitwich Canal, and historically linked to the Dudley Canal Line No 2 until the abandonment of the route through the Lapal Tunnel in 1917.In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Worcester thrived as a prominent center for glove-making, employing over 30,000 people at its peak, which accounted for nearly half of all glovers in England. The Worcester and Birmingham Canal was inaugurated in 1815. In 1831, riots broke out in response to the defeat of the Reform Bill, reflecting discontent with the city administration and the absence of democratic representation. Subsequently, citizens petitioned the House of Lords for permission to construct a County Hall. Local government reform was enacted in 1835, introducing election procedures for councillors. However, it also imposed limitations on the city's ability to engage in property transactions. Political corruption, particularly the practice of bribing voters, plagued Parliamentary elections and contributed to a series of Conservative victories, even amidst a broader swing towards the Liberals. The matter was investigated in the 1890s and by a Royal Commission in 1906.The British Medical Association (BMA) was established in the Board Room of the old Worcester Royal Infirmary building on Castle Street in 1832. The arrival of railways occurred in 1850, with the initial line reaching Birmingham from Shrub Hill. Foregate Street was opened in 1860. Following the merger on August 1, 1863, the WMR lines became part of the Great Western Railway. The introduction of railways provided Worcester with numerous employment opportunities, particularly in the construction of passenger coaches and signaling.In 1882, Worcester hosted the Worcestershire Exhibition, which showcased sections dedicated to fine arts, historical manuscripts, and industrial items. The event attracted over 222,000 visitors.
