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The history of the Dudley Canal.

In 1775 Lord Dudley built a private branch from the Birmingham Canal at Tipton to his nearby Dudley quarries. He then extended this by a 1,227 yards tunnel to the Wrens Nest quarries inside the hill.

In 1776 a canal was authorised to run from Blowers Green in Dudley to connect with the Stourbrige canal at Black Delph to allow traffic to connect to the Staff & Worcs Canal and thence down to the River Severn. It was opened in 1779.

Despite fierce opposition from the Birmingham Canal Company the Dudley canal was in 1785 authorised to build a 2,942 yard tunnel from Park Head to connect with Wrens Nest quarries and hence out to the north. The Birmingham Canal Company warned of very high tolls to protect their route.

The tunnel proved to be very difficult to build, in 1787 having to be realigned and not opening until 1792. When finished it was very low and narrow. It did however on the way have connections to underground basins and side tunnels.

The Dudley canal company at first opposed the Worcester & Birmingham canal, but when it was authorised planned to connect with it. So in 1791 Dudley Number 2 Canal was authorised despite fierce opposition from the Birmingham Canal Company since it would provide a by-pass to much of its line. Opened in 1798 it ran from Parkhead for eleven miles to join the Worcester & Birmingham at Selly Oak. It involved constructing Gosty Hill tunnel and Lappal tunnel a tunnel of 3,795 yards, it was very hard to build and they were both claustrophobic. Lappal was a constant source of problems.

Due to the very high construction costs Dudley No 2 was never a very prosperous canal.

In 1838 the canal company improved the Dudley No 2 canal building the 75 yard Brewins tunnel that enabled the creation of Lodge Farm Reservoir and its steam pump.

In 1840 a privately owned canal connected to the Dudley Canal just south of Dudley Tunnel beside Parkhead Locks. The canal was sometimes known as Lord Ward's Canal but is better known as the Pensnett Canal. It was owned by the Earl of Dudley and served various iron and steel works. A railway at its western end connected it to the Staffs & Worcs. Canal.

From 1841 pumping was used to create a current to help boats through Lappal tunnel.

Due to railway competition the Dudley canals merged with the BCN in 1846.

The BCN sought to improve its canals to face railway competition and attention was focussed on the Dudley canals in 1856/9.
The 3,027 Neatherton tunnel, ultra modern, wide, high, with tow towpaths and gas light was dug. The Dudley No 2 Canal was straightened near the exit of the Netherton tunnel creating the Bubblehole loop by the cutting of a new line.
The 600 yards two-lock line was built in 1858 to go across from Dudley No 2 to Dudley No 1 saving two miles near Parkhead .
The tunnel created when the canal was diverted to build Lodge Farm reservoir in 1838 was opened out.
The 9 Delph Locks were replaced by a straighter flight of 8 locks.
A number of road bridges were also rebuilt. Thus most of the canal had been totally rebuilt.

Two-lock line almost collapsed into old mine workings in 1894, which closed the line. It was never repaired and officially closed in 1909.

Mining subsidence led to closure of Lappal tunnel in 1917. In 1938 having seen no through traffic since the closure of Lapal tunnel the eastern end of Dudley No 2 was officially abandoned.

The middle strectch of the Dudley No 2 stayed open since the Combeswood Tube works to the east of Gosty Hill tunnel used canal boats until 1976 and in 1914 a tug boat had been provided to tow these boats through Gosty Hill tunnel.

Pensnett Canal was closed in 1950.

Attempts were being made to close Dudley tunnel. But in 1961 there was a protest cruise. In 1962 an IWA rally took place at Parkhead despite considerable opposition. The Dudley Tunnel Preservation Society was created it eventually became the Dudley Canal Trust. In 1963 an application was made for an abandonment order for Dudley Tunnel but it was refused.

In 1970 trips started into the tunnel and the idea of the Black Country Museum was conceived. Parkhead locks were restored in 1973.

In the 1970s the Bumle Hole area was improved, extensive dredging and tree planting. Later this was to be developed into a wildlife area.

Dudley District Council and the West Midlands council in 1979 used compulsory purchase to take over Hawne Basin from British Rail and to create moorings there. Since Combeswood Tube works had ceased to use the canal in 1976 it was the creation of moorings which now kept this middle section open.

In 1982 part of the southern end of Dudley Tunnel collapsed. BW was left with no choice other than to close it until repairs could be made. Although the through route was now closed, trip boats could still enter the northern end. An IWA rally in 1991 to protest at the length of the closure found work starting. In 1992 the Dudley tunnel was once again opened throughout.

In 1995 the area around Parkhead locks were renovated. With Dudley Canal Trust announcing their hopes to restore the Pensnett Branch and in 1996 setting up their HQ at the old pumping station.

In 1986 a separate society was set up with the intention of raising money to restore the Dudley No.2 canal through Lapal Tunnel to Selly Oak on the Worcester & Birmingham Canal. In July 1996 the Lapal Canal Trust erected a sign at Selly Oak marking the site of the filled in junction where the Dudley No.2 canal had once joined the still navigable Worcester & Birmingham Canal.

At the opposite end of this unnavigable stretch the trust obtained a lease from the local council which allowed it to start restoration work in the Halesowen area. The current head of navigation on the No.2 Canal is in Halesowen some way short of Lapal Tunnel but this route is now well on its way to full restoration.

Sources.

The Dudley & Stourbridge Canals. A bi-centenary commemorative booklet produced in 1979.

Nicholson Guide to the Waterways.
Roots & Routes, Peter Hardcastle's Website
http://www.canals.btinternet.co.uk/index.htm

Canal Companion, Stourport Ring, J.M. Pearson. Published by Central Waterways Supplies of Rugby in 2003. ISBN 0-9545383-1-5

Some pictures of this canal?

Pictures of the Dudley canal .

General information

Find our information about other canals on the canal index page.

We will not be on this canal in 2008

If you have any questions then do ring us on 07977 229103
or email us at martinreed@reedboats.co.uk