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== History == |
== History == |
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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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Clem |date=23 November 1979 |title=Eerie journey in deadly Wast Hill |page=front |work=[[Birmingham Evening Mail]] |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0002139/19791123/001/0001 |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 September 2023 |via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]}}</ref> |
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.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Lewis |first=Clem |date=23 November 1979 |title=Eerie journey in deadly Wast Hill |page=front |work=[[Birmingham Evening Mail]] |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0002139/19791123/001/0001 |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 September 2023 |via=[[British Newspaper Archive]]}}</ref> |
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On 23 November 1979, two workmen were killed when part of the tunnel roof collapsed while undergoing repair.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bailey |first=Jackie |first2=Keith |last2=Wootton |date=23 November 1979 |title= |
On 23 November 1979, two workmen were killed when part of the tunnel roof collapsed while undergoing repair.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bailey |first=Jackie |first2=Keith |last2=Wootton |date=23 November 1979 |title=Men die in city tunnel tomb |page=front |work=[[Birmingham Evening Mail]] |url=https://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/BL/0002139/19791123/001/0001 |url-access=subscription |access-date=3 September 2023 |via=British Newspaper Archive}}</ref> |
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== References == |
== References == |
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Revision as of 15:06, 3 September 2023
 Southern portal | |
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Location | Hawkesley, Birmingham, West Midlands, and Worcestershire, England |
| Coordinates | 52°23′25″N 1°56′24″W / 52.3902°N 1.9400°W |
| OS grid reference | SP041769 |
| Status | Open |
| Waterway | Worcester and Birmingham Canal |
| Start | 52°24′00″N 1°55′51″W / 52.39991°N 1.93096°W |
| End | 52°22′50″N 1°56′56″W / 52.38066°N 1.94890°W |
| Operation | |
| Constructed | 1796-97 |
| Owner | Canal & River Trust |
| Technical | |
| Design engineer | Thomas Cartwright |
| Length | 2,726 yards (2,492.7 m) |
| Width | Double |
| Towpath | No |
| Boat-passable | Yes |
Wast Hill 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]
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.[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]
History
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.[4] On 23 November 1979, two workmen were killed when part of the tunnel roof collapsed while undergoing repair.[5]
References
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ Lewis, Clem (23 November 1979). "Eerie journey in deadly Wast Hill". Birmingham Evening Mail. p. front. Retrieved 3 September 2023 – via British Newspaper 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.