91Èȱ¬

Canals were the arteries of the Industrial revolution, and the cutting edge of transport technology.

Once the railways came many canals closed, and fell into disrepair.

Diglis banal basin by Andrew Darge

Now they are enjoying a new lease of life as people go boating, walking and cycling along them.

Diglis Lock

The canals in this area have a fascinating history - we have the longest run of locks in the country, and a couple of canals that are being restored by enthusiasts.

Find out which they are below.

CANALS IN HEREFORDSHIRE AND WORCESTERSHIRE

Droitwich canal

Length 5 ¾ miles
From Droitwich to the River Severn at Salwarpe
Opened 1771 – abandoned 1939

Being restored with a £3m grant.

Herefordshire and Gloucestershire canal

Length 35 miles
from the Severn at Gloucester to Hereford with tunnels at Oxenhall (2,192 yards) and Walsopthorne (440 yards).
Fully opened 1845 -Ìý closed 1881

Stourbridge Arm - forcing a passage - Max Sinclair

Being restored by a Trust

Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal

Length 46 miles
From Great Haywood to Stourport
Promoted by Act of Parliament 1766 and 1790
Finished 1772

Still navigable – 43 locks

Stourbridge Canal

Length 5 Miles
From Stourbridge to Black Delph, where it joins the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal
Opened 1779 Re opened 1967

Blockhouse, Tallow Hill, Winter 1963 Max Sinclair

Worcester and Birmingham canal

Length 30 miles
Worcester Bar (Gas Street Basin, Birmingham) where it joins the Birmingham Canal Navigations, to Worcester, where it joins the River Severn
Opened 1815

Still navigable – 58 locks

TUNNELS

Kings Norton or West Hill tunnel on the Worcester to Birmingham canal – 2726 yards
Sortwood on the Worcester to Birmingham canal – 613 yards
TardebiggeÌý on the Worcester to Birmingham canal – 580 yards
DunhamsteadÌý on the Worcester to Birmingham canal – 236 yards
Edgbaston on the Worcester to Birmingham canal – 105 yards
Cookley on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal – 65 yards
DunsleyÌý on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal – 25 yards

Lock flights

Tardebigge on the Worcester to Birmingham canal – 30 locks – longest in this country