Wast Hills Tunnel
Construction and measurements
The Wast Hill Tunnel was built in 1796 and is 2,726 yards (2,493 m) long, making it one of the longest in the country. There are several ventilation shafts along its length which were initially used for the tunnel's construction. It is wide enough to accommodate two narrow boats but there is no towpath.
History
Work started on the tunnel in 1794 and was completed in 1797. Until 1904 canal boats were legged through the tunnel; it took three hours to navigate. Leggers were replaced by a steam tug to pull a chain of barges through. The tunnel used to carry telegraph lines placed through iron brackets attached to the roof. On 23 November 1979, two workmen were killed when part of the tunnel roof collapsed while undergoing repair. The tunnel remained closed until 30 May 1981.
References
- ^ "Worcester & Birmingham Canal". Retrieved 2 March 2015.
- ^ The central airshaft once had a steam driven fan for smoke clearance. David Stowell. "Wast Hill Tunnel Southern portal". Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ William Dargue. "Hawkesley, Hawkesley End - West Heath". Retrieved 3 March 2015.
- ^ Pearson, Wendy (2004). King's Norton : past & present. Stroud: Sutton Publishing. p. 113. ISBN 978-0-7509-3858-7 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Lewis, Clem (23 November 1979). "Eerie journey in deadly Wast Hill". Birmingham Evening Mail. p. front. Retrieved 3 September 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ Ordnance Survey Guide to the Waterways I. South (4th ed.). Ordnance Survey & Nicholson Guides. 1989. p. 189. ISBN 978-0-948576-31-7 – via Internet Archive.
- ^ Bailey, Jackie; Wootton, Keith (23 November 1979). "Men die in city tunnel tomb". Birmingham Evening Mail. p. front. Retrieved 3 September 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
- ^ "Death tunnel re-opens". Birmingham Evening Mail. 30 May 1981. p. front. Retrieved 3 September 2023 – via British Newspaper Archive.
