Part One: Spatial Strategy and Policies (Regulation 18)

Support

Representation ID: 54

Received: 09/12/2023

Respondent: Lapal Canal Trust

The Lapal Canal Trust was established in 1990 to support the restoration of the Dudley No 2 Canal from Hawn Basin in Halesowen through Leasowes Park, across Manor Way and across Woodgate Valley Park to Selly Oak. It is the major restoration project in Dudley. And the Trust is widely supported by the community with local Members of Parliament and Councillors supportive. We fully support the laudable objectives outlined in Policy ‘DLP36 Canals’. Both Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and Birmingham City Council have invested in protecting sections of the canal route.

We ask that this specific canal restoration project be referenced to directly and that the plan should refer to the Atkins Feasibility study. In 2008 supported by Dudley Council the Atkins Consultancy produced a detailed study, with road crossings at Mucklow Hill and Manor Way, it advised a partially new route via Woodgate Valley which would be of much more public benefit. Reopening the tunnel which collapsed in 1917 would be costly and only boaters would benefit. The Trust wholeheartedly supported this initiative.

Trust volunteers have continued work on keeping the route across the Leasowes clear and the redevelopment of the Sandvick site will help with crossing Manor Way. This bridge would also form a pedestrian route across this very busy Dual Carriageway. We are also active in Selly Oak, where there is a section 106 agreement which provides £724k contribution to the restoration of the canal past Sainsbury’s retail park. Whitehouse Wharf has just been completed at a cost of £350k to allow boats to moor and turn to enter the restored canal. This was recently opened by Mayor Andy Street who has been very supportive.