Re-Building Birmingham's Lost Canal - The LAPAL!
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- Опубликовано: 1 окт 2024
- If you like the sound of what they are doing at the Lapal Canal Trust, you can donate to their plight here: www.lapalcanal...
This week we explore the Dudley No.2 Canal and its rather terrifying Tunnels. We also meet up with Hugh form The Lapal Canal Trust. There is a lot to see here from Dudley all the way down to Selly Oak where we bumped into Hugh. Join us as we walk much of its length.
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We had a great afternoon with Hugh and much fun was had, hence the amusing end!.... Go support the trust here: www.lapalcanal.co.uk/
Hi, I'm Hugh from the Lapal Canal Trust, huge thanks from the Trust to Paul an Rebecca for an excellent presentation. Quality and colours of the pictures are amazing, wish we could do as well, very clear and stable, it's difficult to believe it's a hand held camera. Love the ending, despite my appearance it's not a mess - great expression on your face! You did a marvellous job of editing and managed to pack in a lot of information in the time available, it will be featured at our AGM. We are very grateful for the huge interest, not only interest but 25 new donors have contributed over £500 to date. Please come back when you have time and see the rest of the route.
Huuuugh. Thank you, that's great news!.... thanks for your lovely comments, we really wanted to keep that snippet at the end in (I hope you don't mind), twas fun. We are hoping for another 12k views over the next two months on this so perhaps a little more by way of donations to come. Take care.
@@pwhitewick The snippet was fun - one of the best bits! I'll let you know in two months how we got on with the donations
Fascinating. James Brindley the canal builder lived in one half of Turnhurst Hall in what is now Stoke-on-Trent. There he experimented with model locks in the grounds to perfect his designs. My forebears of the Cole family lived in the other half, and also farmed there. The hall was demolished in the 1920s due to mining subsidence, and The Brindley Lock pub now stands on the site.
My great grandfather John Hilditch Cole was born at Turnhurst Hall. He became agent and gentleman mining engineer for Robert Heath & Sons and reputedly knew Staffordshire better below ground than above.
Good on you for your history, Mark.
Guys, I take exception to Netherton Tunnel is in South West Birmingham. Which it is Not. It is not a District of Brum, its in the Black Country, which is North West of Birmigham.
Greater Birmingham then.
Birmingham : More Canals than Venice, seems to be very switched on to preservation, as do the companies building there .. the canal preservation trusts are lucky but still need volunteers as enthusiastic as Hugh
Also, Birmingham is just as beautiful as Venice
@@Randomstuffs261 as a Wulfrunian, it is my duty to dislike this comment and disagree vigorously! lol
@@olly5764 The billions of people who recognize Birmingham as the most beautiful city on earth will not be disheartened at your mistake of disagreeing with me.
@@Randomstuffs261 billions? Maybe 10, and one of them is my mate Alan, and he worries me.
Technically, it's the entire Birmingham Canal Navigations that are longer than Venice's canals, so extending quite a bit further than the city itself!
The Netherton tunnel is great fun in a boat, especially when someone is playing "Ride of the Valkyries" from the well deck.
Lovely. As long as we have people like Rebecca, Paul and Hugh in the world looking after our heritage, I'll keep getting up in the morning.
Having walked the Netherton Tunnel several times, and having boated all of the currently open canals around Birmingham, it was great to see this video and hear the news of the progress with the Lapal canal. I imagine Lapal will not be open until after my boating days are over, but it’s still fantastic to know that it will happen one day.
By the way, Gosty Hill is an experience to say the least. The tunnel roof drops down almost to the boat, scraping off the mop and other bits we kept on the boat roof. We had to drive the boat on our knees as we couldn’t stand up or see where we were going; had to use the tunnel walls to steer the boat, scraping noises and all that!
Gosty tunnel sounds like Froghall's (Caldon canal) evil twin! Cousin Tom & I took his boat _Lion_ through Froghall a few years ago. He was kneeling, I was in the bow, nudging. We lost the tiller pin to the tunnel roof but we *did* get through.... just!
@@stephenphillip5656 Ha yes, I’ve survived Froghall too. Gosty Hill was tight but doable, while Froghall really was ‘touch and go’. Overall, I’d say Froghall is the tightest.
@@malcolmsmith6615 Froghall is "only" 70 m long, Gosty is 510 m!
@@1258-Eckhart Yes indeed, but Gosty Hill was wide enough throughout. Width is the issue with Froghall. As they say, it’s width not length that’s important to boaters 🤣
The engine house reminds me very much of the ones at the Cornish mines.
Yes, absolutely. We had the same notion, which reminds me, must get down to Cornwall again soon.
Hello Jago, nice to see you here too!
Just made a donation to the Canal Trust from Western Kentucky. Keep up your work Paul and Rebecca! I wish we had such transport history here. I hope to get to Britain some day and ride on the heritage rails and walk along the canals as much as I can fit in!
Wow, thank you!
Great to see you here in the West Midlands! We've got enough canal and railway history to keep you busy for a year!
The Underhill commentary was brilliant. XD
I got the first 'like', comment' and 'view'. My life is complete!
Congratulations 😊👍
Great to see you local to me but just a warning my friends we are not in Birmingham we are the black country but moan done out of the way. As you walked through Netherton tunnel you were close to my house as I live on the hill over it.
The Lapal Tunnel collapsed in 1917 which starts in Woodgate Valley but you would now have to if reopened ? close the M5 and M6 Motorways where it exit`s /enters. The Birmingham - Dudley Canal and overflow Reservoir have since 1937 had houses built either side of the filled in Canal. Where that scholar was pointing at the ornamental Mere was part of the Birmingham Battery factory .It Will never happen !
I wish my wife would come out for an afternoon stroll wearing her shiny little leather mini skirt
I’m only slightly jealous
Magnificent, thank-you. And thanks to Geoff who highlighted your excellent work on his Crystal Palace High Level video.
I shall share this with Birmingham friends.
Several years ago a group of about 40 of us canoed through the Dudley Tunnel from the museum and then around to the Netherton tunnel and back to the museum. If you want a really claustrophobic tunnel try going through Dudley. The canoe club is called the "Song of The Paddle"
During the 1960s I used to play in what was part of the tunnel! - The brick quarry next to Stonehouse lane had been dug down to the level of the tunnel. Most of the tunnel bricks had been robbed out but at the Western end, you could look into the tunnel through a portcullis-like metal gate. Water used to pool just in front of the tunnel and you could catch sticklebacks and tadpoles there. The brick quarry was used as a refuse dump by the council and then covered over to now be "Old Quarry Park". I just hope the council's engineers did a good job of capping the tunnel entrance. I would hate to think there was a long length of tunnel filled with methane from all that refuse, waiting for a spark!
"What could possibly go wrong. ....... ." Famous last words. Keep up the good work.
Thank you Paul and Rebecca for bringing me along with you guys and enjoying the Beautiful day and very interesting history !
Cheers from California .
The California area of Birmingham presumably?
*awaits reply
@@pwhitewick No , more like the Beautiful San Joaquin Valley part of California actually.
5 👎 how rude!
Around 2:27 you roughly at the disused station of Windmill End Halt which was on the former Blowers Green to Old Hill Line on the The Windmill Branch Line. I have visited that area myself back in late March and it was a lovely area to have something to eat and even looked inside Cobbs Engine House myself. Didn't knew it was there but was intrigued by it. Nice Canal Video and at 6:07 nice to see a Class 323.
Is that the Windmill End that gets a name check in Flanders and Swann's Slow Train?
@@rosiefay7283 think it is
3795 yards yards? A quick bit of mental math says that's around 2 miles long, around 3 km long. That's more tunnel length than I want to be personally involved with.
Rebecca : Underhill ... referencing J.R.R. Tolkien ?
seemed like enjoying a great pun as well 🤣
I'm so glad someone else had that same association! Well done indeed!
Ah... Baggins. How far is that place from where Tolkien lived as a child - it doesn't seem that far.
1.6million litres is nearly 400,000 gallons. Umm. per day/week ??
Ah I think per day... thought I mentioned that... oooops
Wow its good to see people wanting to make more of historyb
What a conicdence, was having a walk along a short section of the canal at Leasowes yesterday.
Paul and Rebecca, a great video , thanks for sharing with us . With all of the history of canals in Britain you have shown us , I have also been watching " Foxes Afloat " with presenters
Colin and Shaun on their Narrow Boat. Their travels gives a good view of the operations of narrow boating on the canals for those of us who have no experience of traveling on a canal.
you couldn't pick two better channels - but try Cruising the Cut if you need a third.
Great video as always, especially as I have also searched for the two portals of the Lapal tunnel, and walked the length of the Worcester & Birmingham. Although I'm not sure the good people of the Black Country would like to hear you say they are in South West Birmingham :-( You might have ended up in the canal. Good job they didn't hear you LOL
Thanks for a great film and some fine drone filming to, plus, Rebecca looked lovely in her leather skirt!
I don't understand the people that click on the thumbs down icon. Why?
All part of the wonderful tapestry
possibly bots or Stevie Wonder trying his best to be nice.
Two be pedantic, only room for two narrowboats, not barges
Very true
@@pwhitewick ..... and I must apologise for my typo......... "To be" not "Two be"!
Strictly they are narrow boats, two words rather than one.
ok, I give up..."waffling"???? What is that? Nice video. Enjoyed it greatly.
Nehterton is definitely not in South West Birmingham. It is North West OF Birmingham
The Netherton canal tunnel is most definitely not "in South West Birmingham", but it most definitely is in the Black Country! The engine that was in Cobbs Engine house was removed in 1928 and now resides in the Henry Ford Museum at Detroit, Michigan, USA.
David in Dudley.
I think you said ‘south east’ when you meant ‘south west’. Later you did the opposite. Also the word ‘three’ doesn’t start with an F.
The black country is so often overlooked... It's a hidden gem
Be nice to see the canal restored up to Hawne basin.....it was such a nice place to visit and fish when I was young, but sadly Dudley Council and previous councils have destroyed the canal....
Some great legs on show there. Rebecca's aren't bad either!🦵🦵🦵🦵
Great video as always Paul & Rebecca, you were in my old stomping ground. There is another section of disused canal in Weoley Castle behind the houses in Reservoir Rd. My late grandmother told me about it and showed me pictures, this is how she explained why there are newts in residence in her garden with no water in the area.
Please check where you are? It’s not in Birmingham it’s the Black Country 😉
Just to clarify,when you say about it taking 25 mins to get through the Gorsty tunnel,o you mean wading or on a boat? Am thinking this might be another location for some echo recordings. Thanks guys! 👍
I've worked in the Lapel tunnel entering through the step shaft at the back of the museum a few years ago!! I've got some fantastic pictures.
Have you been through Wast Hills tunnel as well, which links the Birmingham to Worcester branch?
John 3:16-21
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
Mark 1.15
15 And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
Thank you Sir for all the info and work you do. Amazing video guys
Well well, I was only in that Sainsbury's this morning...
It's biiiiig
Netherton is in the black Country not Birmingham it's the place where the chain and anchor for the Titanic were made at Noah Hingley 's .
Love the work guys, keep it up. Some folks cut deeper than the cut itself!
Walked tnrough it for my 70th birthday people use it as a short cut
setting a time LIMIT... thats a bit dodgy ..or clever lol
It's written into the contract I believe. Common place.
It took nearly 20 years of negotiations to build that new sainsburys. And after watching this it makes sense as to why
Thanks for sharing! I'm almost 100% certain that if I was ever able to get to your 'side of the pond', that I wouldn't ever see a tenth of everything you've shown. I hope you all have a wonderful day and stay safe!!!
Remindful, in the beginning, of the Magpie Mine engine house up in Derbyshire.
The is another group in the area of the Black Country trying to reopen the Bradley Canal too.
I live just by this and only found out about this lost canal about 3/4 years back.
Always good, but being able to see what may be with a canal being restored is brilliant. And Underhill is a good joke ..
What the bloody hell did my hearing aid hear right what kind of mess you make up
Huge need lessons in p.r.
the new junction at Selly oak onto the Worcester canal ,was past by planning i believe ,
It was once said of the engine in that building that if it missed a beat so did the hearts of many huindreds of wives in the area. Lovely shots of the Engine House. The whole area was riddled with intermixed canals and railways, much is gone but enough remains to get an idea of the complexity of it all, canal basins had railway sidings and sidings had canal basins. Facinating area to explore and on such a lovely day too.
Very interesting video, especially as you were in my neck of the woods. Took a narrow boat through Netherton tunnel some years ago and came across a British Waterways boat in there with the occupant fast asleep! Every time I drive down Manor Way, I keep saying to myself that I must try and find the old entrance to Lapal tunnel, so thanks for going there on my behalf!
Really interesting video. I remember walking the first bit , Selly Oak to Weoley Castle in the mid 1980s.
Any update On the Restoration?
Was the finance Raised ?
My back yard. The nevvy is a brilliant cut through that hill.
Rebecca looked nice today 😁
She always does.
BRUM, my old neck of the woods. Better go click on that link!
Thanks guys! It's an area that's close to home and I've been watching this WHOLE site develop from chemical infested waste land to the site of the Queen Elizabeth super hospital, a new retail park and a student village, future site for medical R&D - once the lab gets built and of course a recreation area for those that want to use the canal.
My main annoyance though is simply that the Battery Retail Park (the one with Poundland in shot) wasn't linked with the newly built retail park with Sainsburys. This was mostly due to Homebase DIY stores refusal to move to another, or replacement, site close by so the retail parks are unnecessarily segregated. To get between the two, I cannot cross the canal as there is simply no access on the other side, necessitating the need to take a long walk around the main road..... or to drive between the two.
Still, its a MASSIVE improvement over what came before and civikises an area that once felt like no-mans land.
My dad (now 88) grew up next the lappel tunnel (old spelling) and he talks about being told as a child how the tunnel was so tight the barges had to be flushed through, before it finally collapsed in 1917. It must have been terrifying.
Ah yes... I'd read that, forgot to mention it
Lovely video once again. Cheers.
The boats on the canals were narrowboats not barges. A barge would not fit along the canal
I've been on the Norfolk Broads and am looking forward to boating from Limehouse up the Grand Union
Hard to think you need to pass through Gosty Hill tunnel to get to Hawne Basin and a canaL club there.
Love your videos. Thanks to Geoff for leading me here.
hi paul and rebbeca , another great video and omg you were so close to where i used to live lol , great shot of the pump house , so nice to see you around my stomping grounds , well done and thank you guys :)
What a cool guy, I sure hope they can get the backing .
Hugh is magnificent. Quite a career I understand
May I recommend the RUclips channel "Life at 2.3 miles an hour"? He covers all the abandoned canals in the Birmingham area.
Couldn't agree more!
Its in DUDLEY not Birmingham
Nice video, just up the road from me.
local legend has it that there are a few Drones that have found their way down Cobbs engine house tunnel never to leave due to crashes etc... This is all my neck of the woods and regular cycle routes for me
I actually don't doubt that for a second
Isn't 'Lapal' pronounced 'Laple' - Like 'label' only with a P? Are there any amyams out there who can confirm this, please?
We asked Hugh, he had no idea.
I believe the engine from Cobbs engine house survives in a museum in the USA.
Netherton tunnel was rumoured by those who worked on the canals to have been intended as a railway tunnel, but the GWR blocked the LNWR's route to the area, so it was altered for canal use, of course, the bargees who were most keen to spread this, worked for the BCN, which had been purchased by the LNWR, so no bias there!
Now that makes sense!!
Birmingham has in fact more canals than Venice
My neck of the woods... Went through netherton yesterday to the canal festival, Paul will add Netherton tunnel was also electric lit in the 60s via a turbine from brindleys canal and the telford canal as you know they cross over each other. You per thinking of doing the lost Toll end canal and Bradley Canals around here? (You can walk both) (If you need a guide let me know)
Oh and the railway line they are now converting into a metro line! (Google for park head via duct)
Another great video! I'll look forward to seeing the progress on the restoration of the canal.
I drove a boat through the Netherton and Gorsty tunnels a few years ago. Also searched for the site of the Lapal one - did get as near as is possible. I do hope they succeed in all their plans. Thanks again for your video.
Cheers Simon. I should imagine Gosty is quite fun
Great Video,
Lovely canal and tunnels in what looks like a beautiful part of the country...😃👍
Thanks Eddie
great video as always
Netherton isn’t in Birmingham ….
I had heard that they were looking at restoration, I did not realise it was hopefully so close to it happening
Seems like they have a great team behind it... just need a little bit more cash!!
The lapal railway is worth an explore
How interesting, so informative. Tunnels and bridges awesome. Thank you to Hugh as well.
Thanks Shirley
Lovely video, guys - I never knew the Black Country could look so pretty! All the old photos I’ve seen of Cobbs Engine House make it look very bleak. One teeny quibble - you went to Gosty Hill and didn’t visit the famous airshaft that’s in someone’s front garden! Have you ever thought about exploring what remains of the Hereford & Gloucester and Leominster Canals?
Thanks for the video Paul and Rebecca and the canal gentleman. These places always look beautiful some awesome tunnels and great script!!😎🐓🐓🐓🐓🇬🇧
Nice video - really interesting. Two small points - you weren't in Birmingham, you were in the Black Country. There's a big difference! And you can't get two barges in Netherton Tunnel cos barges are too wide. You can get two narrowboats side by side.
Nice video. Think you "messed" the pumping station water volume figure. If it could manage 1000 m3 per day that would be your quant.
Once again a captivating and thoroughly well made video.
I wish there were something comparable in my country of choice, Germany... if there is, would anybody mind dropping a link?
Awesome. I'm very impressed with reviving canals. Your channel defines top content. Thanks!
Just curious... How would you pronounce Wooster? Would you pronounce the "oo" as in food or as in good? 🤔😁
Hi Paul and Rebecca great video as always you were not far from my location in the video and not far from the Halesowen to Longbridge disused railway nice to see that you visited my area keep up the fantastic work you both do.john