You may wish to make a small diversion to take a look at the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trusts Heritage Towpath Trail.
Walking south along HOEW, on reaching junction of Quarry Hills Lane and Tamworth Road (A51), cross diagonally to right and into Cricket Lane, where the entrance to the Trail is on the left.
Walking north along HOEW, after crossing A38 road bridge, cross to left side of A51 and take track down to canal trackbed and trail. At Cricket Lane, turn right and right onto A51 to cross over to Quarry Hills Lane.
Following the trackbed and trail avoids walking a section of A51, but does require the A51 to be crossed 3 times (at Quarry Hills Lane, roadbridge across A38, past Horse & Jockey), instead of once.
In June 2015, our warden co-ordinator visited the site and was impressed with the work being done to restore the canal.
To learn more about the Lichfield and Hatherton Canals Restoration Trust, go to https://www.lhcrt.org.uk/