Birmingham Canal - Coseley Stop and Tunnel

 

The first canal between Wolverhampton and Birmingham (the Old Main Line) followed the contours to reduce the number of locks and in the course of its wanderings reach as many collieries and ironworks as possible. In the early 19th century Thomas Telford was called in to build the New Main Line which by means of embankments and tunnels took a much more direct route. At Coseley the line was reduced by several miles by tunnelling through the hill.

 

The 360 yards-long tunnel has a towpath through it. South of the tunnel is a surprisingly green and secluded cutting where short stay moorings for boats have been provided and named 'Coseley Stop'. A 'stop' was a place where the working boatmen would moor overnight, usually near pubs and shops, as here at Coseley.