Wast Hills Tunnel

The Wast Hills Tunnel is a canal tunnel on the Worcester and Birmingham Canal. Its northern portal is in Hawkesley, Birmingham. Its southern portal is in fields just outside the city's boundaries, in Worcestershire.[1]

Wast Hills Tunnel
Southern portal
Overview
LocationHawkesley, Birmingham, West Midlands, and Worcestershire, England
Coordinates52.3902°N 1.9400°W / 52.3902; -1.9400
OS grid referenceSP041769
StatusOpen
WaterwayWorcester and Birmingham Canal
Start52.39991°N 1.93096°W / 52.39991; -1.93096 (Northern portal)
End52.38066°N 1.94890°W / 52.38066; -1.94890 (Southern portal)
Operation
Constructed1796-97
OwnerCanal & River Trust
Technical
Design engineerThomas Cartwright
Length2,726 yards (2,492.7 m)
WidthDouble
TowpathNo
Boat-passableYes

Construction and measurements

The Wast Hills Tunnel was built in 1796 and is 2726 yards long, making it one of the longest in the country.[1] There are several ventilation shafts along its length which were initially used for the tunnel's construction.[2] It is wide enough to accommodate two narrow boats but there is no towpath.[3]

References

  1. "Worcester & Birmingham Canal". Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  2. The central airshaft once had a steam driven fan for smoke clearance. David Stowell. "Wast Hill Tunnel Southern portal". Retrieved 3 March 2015.
  3. William Dargue. "Hawkesley, Hawkesley End - West Heath". Retrieved 3 March 2015.
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