New life set to be brought to historic canal area

A campaign has begun to help bring new life to an historic part of the Black Country canal network.

The locks have been part of the area since the 18th century and currently work as part of the Dudley No.1 Canal

Adam Davies has started work with Keith Stevens from the Canal and River Trust on a heritage project at the Delph "Nine" Locks in Brierley Hill.

The project would involve upgrading the Delph stable, believed to be one of the last surviving canal stable blocks in the region.

Adam, 26, who has lived in the area near the locks for more than 15 years, spoke about his aims for the project with the stable and the locks, which have been in the area since 1779.

"The stable is a grade-two listed building, so there's a lot of restrictions on what we can do, but we want to use part of the building as a welcome station," he said.

The former horse stables at the locks, which is a grade two listed building. Adam Davies and Keith Stevens want it to be a visitor centre or information area

"That would enable the trust to grow its volunteer network and hand out leaflets and information to passers by.

"We also want to use the end of the stable as an educational facility to show the local history of Brierley Hill as I know a lot of schools want to do that as part of their curriculum."

Adam said the project was very much a passion for him as he said he enjoyed many years of walking along the canal and wanted to help revamp it.

He said: "I've enjoyed speaking to people about this area and a few people have told me how tired and sad it looks around here with graffiti and a generally tired look.

"That's why I approached Keith Stevens at the Canal and River Trust and asked if they wanted to do something to update the locks and the area.

"It's about making the most of the area and ensuring its history and heritage can be told to a new generation."

Adam Davies and Keith Stevens outside the former stables, for which they have grand designs on what they can do with it

Keith Stevens spoke about the benefits of living next to water and urged people to get in touch with ideas about what could be done with the canal and Delph Locks.

He said: "Research has shown that living close to water can make you happier and healthier, so this is a big part of our work to encourage people to come and see the canal.

"This is not just to learn about the heritage of the area, but to help their own wellbeing.

"The Delph Locks are grade two listed and are the last surviving stables of their type in the Black Country, as well as in a conservation area.

"We're asking local people to let us know what they would like us to do with the stable block as it is an original waterway gem and we want to give it a new lease of life."

To contact Adam and to find out more, email adam.brierleyhill@gmail.com