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Dudley Canal No 1

The Dudley Canal No 1 runs from Tipton Junction where it meets the Birmingham Canal Old Main Line to Delph Bottom Lock where it joins the Stourbridge Canal.

Things to do nearby

Silver Propeller Challenge

Southern Portal of Dudley Tunnel, Dudley Canal

Dudley

Facts & Stats

4.6 miles

(7.4 km)

The length of the Dudley Canal No 1 which is navigable.

12 locks

1960

Protest

The year activists from our IWA Midland Group arranged a protest cruise through the Canal’s tunnel to protest against its proposed closure.

The Dudley Tunnel

The Dudley Canal Line No 1 runs from Tipton Junction with Birmingham Canal Old Main Line to Delph Bottom Lock where it joins the Stourbridge Canal.

The Dudley Tunnel is 1.8 miles (2.9 km) long.

Campaign history: Dudley tunnel protest 1960

In 1960 the news was leaked that British Rail planned a Dudley Container depot and were proposing to remove the iron bridge crossing the Tipton end of the Dudley Tunnel and infill the canal with an earth embankment to carry heavier loads. British Waterways didn’t seem to resist this move which would have destroyed the canal through the tunnel.

In the autumn volunteers from our IWA Midland Group arranged a protest cruise through the tunnel. On a cold very foggy day they gathered in the Park Head Basin encouraged by IWA founder Robert Aickman and crept through the gloomy waterway.  When boats got stuck they took on water ballast and eventually managed to get through.  The local papers gave the campaign lots of good publicity and local support was gained.

The Dudley Tunnel Trust was formed and began running tunnel trips with an electric boat.

Navigation Notes

Maximum boat sizes

  • Length: 70′ 11″ (21.62 metres)
  • Beam: 7′ 4″ (2.24 metres)
  • Height: 7′ 5″ (2.26 metres)
  • Draught: 4′ 4″ (1.32 metres)

Navigation authority

Canal & River Trust

Branch

IWA Birmingham, Black Country & Worcestershire Branch

Waterway underfunding

Hundreds of miles of waterways – along with their unique heritage and habitats – are currently starved of funding and rely on constant lobbying by us to safeguard their future.

Sustainable Boating

We want boating on canals and rivers to be more sustainable and – even though the current overall contribution to UK carbon emissions is very small – we want to help reduce emissions on the waterways.

Waterways Heritage at Risk

Britain’s canals and rivers are a unique, living heritage. But that heritage is at risk – from urban development, lack of protection, loss of skills and knowledge and climate change.

You can help Save Waterways Heritage.

Waterway restoration

Restoring the UK’s blue infrastructure – our inherited network of navigable canals and rivers – is good for people and places.

Local activities

Silver Propeller Challenge

Southern Portal of Dudley Tunnel, Dudley Canal

Dudley

LOVE YOUR WATERWAYS

Britain's waterways are vital; together we can campaign for them now and for the future.