A map of the Dudley Tunnel Branch of the Old Main Line (BCN)
The map displays a range of services available on the Dudley Tunnel Branch of the Old Main Line (BCN). Simply click the box next to any service being displayed in the Map Key on the left of your screen.
Map Key
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A brief history of the Dudley Tunnel Branch of the Old Main Line (BCN)
| Canal length : | 2.3 miles |
The Dudley Tunnelwas completed in 1778. It was constructed by Lord Dudley and Ward to link his lime works and Tipton Colliery to the Birmingham Canal Navigations. The tunnel was originally known Lord Ward’s canal but he later sold the canal and tunnel to the Dudley Canal Company.
The southern end of the tunnel suffered subsidence caused by local coal mines and this section was rebuilt several feet wider than the original tunnel.
The Dudley Tunnel is narrow without a tow path so boats would have had to have been ‘legged’ through. It was necessary to have alternating blocks of one-way working which resulted in waiting times many hours or even several days.
The tunnel is very narrow and claustrophobic with poor ventilation. Today, modern boats are unable to pass through the tunnel but visitors may use electric boats operated by the Dudley Canal Trust to explore the tunnels and caverns.
For more detailed information, follow the link below: