Dudley canal work to begin after £300,000 contract signed
The Lapal Canal Trust has signed a £300,000 contract with Land & Water to build the first Selly Oak section of the Dudley No2 Canal.
The new water feature section completes the development of Whitehouse Wharf and forms part of the Selly Oak Shopping Centre owned by M & G Real Estate. The area includes a bridge linking the new shops to Selly Oak town centre, the remains of a lime kiln and a new public square. The large water area is designed to enable boats to turn and enter and exit the soon to be restored Dudley No 2 Canal.
The work has been funded by large donations from Veolia, Garfield Weston, Headley Trust, Landsec, Unite Students, William Cadbury, Jabbs and Rowland Trust. Legal advice was provided by Gowlings WLG.
The Lapal Canal Trust is now focused on raising the further £500,000 required to complete the restoration to Harborne Lane Bridge, which must be completed by 2025.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands, said: “Congratulations to the Trust on the progress made This is a hugely important project for Selly Oak and the wider region, and I endorse it wholeheartedly. Our canals provide a safe and enjoyable way for residents to exercise, commute and connect with nature. We are all grateful for their restoration work, really encouraging to hear that the contract has been signed and progress is being made.”
Kevin Kirkland, construction director at Land & Water, said: “We are very much looking forward to working with the Lapal Canal Trust and getting started on building the first section of the Dudley No2 Canal and. At Land & Water, we pride ourselves on maintaining and enhancing the UK’s waterways for years to come and this is a perfect example of how the canal can be used to benefit surrounding communities and boat lovers.”
