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The Lapal Canal Project

The Lapal Canal Project. Dr Peter Best chairman@lapal.org. www.lapal.org. Birmingham’s first bypass ! – 1798 Dudley No 2 Canal. Dudley No1 , Windmill End < - - > Worcester & Birmingham, Selly Oak = 11 miles Lapal Canal = 5.5 miles. The Lapal Canal = derelict ‘half’ = 5.5 miles.

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The Lapal Canal Project

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  1. The Lapal Canal Project Dr Peter Best chairman@lapal.org www.lapal.org

  2. Birmingham’s first bypass ! – 1798Dudley No 2 Canal Dudley No1, Windmill End < - - > Worcester & Birmingham, Selly Oak = 11 miles Lapal Canal = 5.5 miles

  3. The Lapal Canal= derelict ‘half’ =5.5 miles Hawne Basin, Halesowen < - - 5.5 miles - - > W&B, Selly Oak

  4. The Leasowes Valley 60ft high embankment – 500 yards Most steep sided in UK The Lapal Tunnel 3795 yards = 2.2 miles 4th longest in UK 120 years of operation ceased in 1917 Lapal Landmarks : obstacles to level-water Many observers suggest it would have been crossed with an aqueduct if constructed only a few years later. A collapse in the Sapperton Tunnel on the Cotswold Canal. Photo purposely distorted to suggest the claustrophobic dimensions of the Lapal Tunnel. PJB10/06

  5. Restoration Strategy :to make ends meet • Halesowen or Western Approach Canal 1.4 miles or 2195 yards • The Lapal Tunnel 2.2 miles or 3795 yards • The Selly Oak Extension or Eastern Approach Canal 1.8 miles or 3146 yards

  6. Lapal – West : The Leasowes Abbeyfields St Mary’s Abbey Lapal – East : Selly Oak Park Lodge Hill Weoley Castle Restoration Sequences:the parallel ‘thirds’ ParklandBacklandHeritage Tunnel Heritage BacklandParkland

  7. Lapal Restoration Treasures Hawne Basin - Halesowen Gorsty Hill Tunnel – Lapal’s Little “sister” Selly Oak Park oldest remaining accommodation bridge in BCN Breeches Pool – Leasowes Valley

  8. Restoration Benefits : The Lapal Greenway • Recreational amenity for walkers, joggers, pedal-cyclists and anglers including rehabilitation excursions from QEH complex • Corridor and haven for rural wildlife in urban settings • Rejuvenation of two heritage sites: Halesowen St Mary’s Abbey and Weoley Castle Ruins • Additional boating opportunities for canal tourism i.e. further cruising rings around the Midlands (short-breaks)

  9. The Leasowes Embankment(partial) restoration; Spring 1997

  10. Leasowes :Autumn 2006

  11. Manor Lane :now the A456 Black Horse pub Route across A456 needs careful consideration; e.g. an Aqueduct? 1962

  12. Weoley CastleBirmingham’s most neglected ancient site ?

  13. Weoley Castle:a boat moat ? the castle moat at Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire …. compatible water-levels could provide isolation of Ruins against vandalism while a modern swing-bridge then provides legitimate access

  14. Local Benefits : Roses for Castles • Rejuvenation out of dereliction • Reduction in crime • Increase in property value • Improved social amenities • “security moat” for offside houses • Improved access for nearside homes • Pride in a local project

  15. On the web at : www.lapal.org

  16. Membership : The Lapal Lobby Individuals (annual renew) = 123 Individuals (10-year renew) = 40 Family (annual renew) = 56 Family (10-year renew) = 4 Complimentary (VIP, MP, etc) = 43 Total = 223 Data: Raj Kulkarni, LCT Membership Secretary, Autumn 2006 LCT Magazine : “ Tunnel Vision ”

  17. Selly Oak Park The Leasowes Narrows Walk the Line: keeping members informed

  18. VIPs Dr Lynne Jones MP (Selly Oak)

  19. Working Parties :our pledge of vigilance Waterways Recovery Group (BITM) scrub-bash March ‘05 Birmingham University Student Volunteers, February ‘05 • Maintenance of corridor as a viable restoration • Involvement of local and national volunteers • Visible statement of intention and goodwill • Opportunities for informal communications

  20. Selly Oak : some years ago ! Harborne Lane Bridge Canal Basin The Birmingham Battery & Metal Company : Circa 1950

  21. Sainsbury’s in Selly Oak W&B Junction

  22. Across the Battery Site toxic contamination ?

  23. Harborne Wharf The Phase-1 Winding Hole

  24. Potential to be a Winding and limit of navigation? Harborne Wharf – looking east towards W&B

  25. One day, maybe ?

  26. Lapal Tunnel:a future for the past ? • £10M + to restore ! • Bi-directional working • Escape walkway • Statutory Services • Waterbus services • ? “Rotunda Unda” – UK Canal Museum ? Lapal Tunnel’s former ‘central’ air vent near rear of Visitor Centre

  27. Feasibility Study:Atkins Due for delivery : Christmas 2006; public release : Easter 2007

  28. www . lapal . org Questions ? “ Is this really a viable project? “

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