Tunnel dig work ends

Work to dig a tunnel beneath the A449 Kidderminster to Worcester Road was completed today signalling the end of major traffic delays on the busy dual carriageway.

The scheme, part of a £11.5 million canal network restoration, aims to create a canal cruising ring which may bring 320,000 extra tourists to the area every year.

They are expected to bring in trade totalling £2.75 million every year to Stourport, Bewdley, Kidderminster and Droitwich areas.

Excavation of the tunnel ended today meaning roadworks will go in days.

The Droitwich Barge Canal, one of the earliest built by James Brindley, will be restored to create a 21-mile cruising ring including restoration of 12 locks, building four new ones and creating a new section of canal and a reed bed.

Over the past few months motorists travelling between Kidderminster and Worcester on the A449 have been able to see the massive construction work taking place beneath the carriageway near Ombersley.

The single carriageway canal bridge was originally built over the Droitwich Barge Canal but the tunnel beneath was filled in during the Second World War by Italian prisoners of war.

The A449 dual carriageway of the 1960s was built over the top of the original bridge, which is still to the side of the newly built tunnel. Part of one wing wall was demolished to make way for the new supports.

Brindley considered the canal, and particularly its junction with the River Severn, to be one of his proudest achievements.

British Waterways, project manager, Jason Leach said: "The creation of this tunnel is a significant milestone for the restoration project and its completion has been long awaited by many. The newly-constructed tunnel and towpath will be soon be open for the public to explore and a major link in the 21 mile canal and river loop."