The Black Country canals include a fascinating network of junctions and branches. There is a wealth of features of interest to canal enthusiasts and industrial archaeologists: locks, bridges and warehouses. Commercial carrying has long since gone from these waters leaving them to be enjoyed by walkers and boaters. The scenery varies from industrial sections to surprisingly secluded rural lengths.
In The Past
These canals played a key part in bringing the Industrial Revolution into what was then rather remote country in south Staffordshire and north Worcestershire situated on the watershed of England and thus distant from navigable rivers. Cheap bulk transport allowed the mineral resources of the area, above all coal, to be exploited to the full. Ironworks, brickworks, glassworks and many other industries proliferated amongst coalmines, claypits and limestone quarries; creating the 'Black Country'.
The Stourbridge and Dudley Canals were cut in the late 18th century to link with the Staffs & Worcester Canal to the west and the Birmingham Canal Navigations system ('BCN' to the enthusiasts) to the east and thus become a part of the national network of waterways. The traffic was so great that the old Dudley Tunnel became a bottleneck and was supplemented by a new line of canal, the Dudley No. 2 Canal which originally took a short cut to join the national system at Selly Oak south of Birmingham. This route also had the advantage of avoiding the Birmingham Canal Company's notoriously high tolls! However even this was insufficient and in 1859 a new double width tunnel was driven through the Rowley Hills at Netherton - the last canal tunnel to be built in Britain until the Dudley Canal tunnel was extended into the Singing Cavern in 1984.
In addition to the main lines of these canals there were many branches and hundreds of basins and docks serving canalside factories. Most of these have now gone as have many of the factories themselves.
For Walkers, Cyclists And Anglers
The canals provide interesting, peaceful and traffic-free routes around the area. At several places the canals link with other walks and trails around the open spaces of Dudley. Some of these are indicated on the map and referred to in the text. These canals are now home to an increasing variety of wildlife. With the decline of industry the quality of the water has improved greatly and many stretches have good stocks of roach, perch, bream and other coarse fish.
Information about angling permits may be obtained from:
British Waterways Fisheries Officer at Fradley
Telephone (01283) 791395.
There is no charge to walkers but cyclists require an annual permit obtainable from:
British Waterways
Auchinleck House
Five Ways
Birmingham
Telephone 0121 633 3666
For Boaters
The Dudley and Stourbridge Canals form part of two cruising circuits shown on the location map below. One, via Wolverhampton and the Staffs & Worcester Canal and the other via the River Severn and the Worcester & Birmingham Canal returning north through Birmingham city centre. These make a pleasant (and energetic!) combination of attractive rural and urban sections. Both 'rings' take several days to complete.
Dudley Canals
Dudley Borough has 3 main canals (Dudley No 1, Dudley No 2 and Stourbridge) with a number of smaller arms and extensions (Stourbridge Arm, Lapal Canal, Fens Branch)
The canals of the former areas of South Staffordshire and North Worcestershire were fundamental to the industrial revolution and the creation of the manufacturing heartland of the Black Country. Providing a stunning 'green corridor' through the predominantly urban landscape, the canal network today attracts boat visitors, walkers, cyclists, anglers, wildlife enthusiasts and lovers of beautiful countryside.
There are many 'must-see' places along Dudley's canals offering a fascinating insight into the history of the area and the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of modern life.
Dudley Canals in the Past
These canals played a key part in bringing the Industrial Revolution into what was then rather remote country in south Staffordshire and north Worcestershire situated on the watershed of England and thus distant from navigable rivers. Cheap bulk transport allowed the mineral resources of the area, above all coal, to be exploited to the full. Ironworks, brickworks, glassworks and many other industries proliferated amongst coalmines, claypits and limestone quarries; creating the 'Black Country'.
The Stourbridge and Dudley Canals were cut in the late 18th century to link with the Staffs & Worcester Canal to the west and the Birmingham Canal Navigations system ('BCN' to the enthusiasts) to the east and thus become a part of the national network of waterways. The traffic was so great that the old Dudley Tunnel became a bottleneck and was supplemented by a new line of canal, the Dudley No. 2 Canal which originally took a short cut to join the national system at Selly Oak south of Birmingham. This route also had the advantage of avoiding the Birmingham Canal Company's notoriously high tolls! However even this was insufficient and in 1859 a new double width tunnel was driven through the Rowley Hills at Netherton - the last canal tunnel to be built in Britain until the Dudley Canal tunnel was extended into the Singing Cavern in 1984.
In addition to the main lines of these canals there were many branches and hundreds of basins and docks serving canalside factories. Most of these have now gone as have many of the factories themselves.
The Use and Mooring of Houseboats
Advice and regulation concerning the use and mooring of houseboats that are located in waters maintained by the local authority.
The Local authority does not maintain any water for the use and mooring of houseboats.
British Waterways can offer advice about houseboats and their moorings on Dudley's waterways.
Council Tax is a locally set tax that is payable on all domestic properties. It applies to houseboats, whether owned or rented.
Canal Conservation Areas
There are 4 Conservation Areas that were originally designated over 20 years ago.
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Stourbridge Branch Canal (Canal Street)
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Stourbridge Branch Canal (Amblecote)
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Stourbridge Sixteen Locks
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Delph Locks
The Councilection has now completed a review of those designations to assess whether the areas retain their special historic interest, to review their boundaries and to develop proposals for their future management.
