Dudley Canal Tunnel wins award

A top Black Country tourist attraction has won official recognition for its role in Britain's transport heritage.

Dudley Canal Tunnel has been awarded a Red Wheel plaque by the Transport Trust in recognition of its status as a "unique complex of tunnels developed since 1778 for limestone and coal mining, for through navigation and increasingly for tourism."

The Transport Trust aims to raise awareness and appreciation of Britain's transport heritage.

Its website carries full details of more than 800 important locations throughout the country and across all modes of transport - from Roman roads to seaplane bases.

The most important of these are also being marked on site by the award of commemorative plaques, known as Red Wheels, with Dudley Canal Tunnel being the first in the West Midlands.

The plaque at Dudley was unveiled by British Waterways chairman Tony Hales supported by Transport Trust president Sir William McAlpine, the Mayor of Dudley Councillor Peter Miller and Dudley Canals Trust chairman Vic Smallshire.

During the ceremony, the Trust also took the opportunity to bring together two artifacts for the first time.

These were the notice of closure put up at the Tipton portal in 1962 by the British Waterways Board and a new commemorative plaque reading 'Dudley Canal Tunnel. Closed by the Government on behalf of the People. Re-opened by the People on behalf of themselves.'

The ceremony was also attended by members of Dudley Canals Trust and representatives of local tourism bodies and canal societies. The tunnel system under Castle Hill was originally constructed to help transport limestone from the mines.

Tony Hales, British Waterways chairman said: "Thanks to the wonders of 18th century engineering and the perseverance and foresight of 20th Century volunteers Dudley Tunnel remains as one of the most enduring landmarks on the Midlands canal network.

"The Red Wheel plaque recognises the efforts of those that built and restored the tunnel system as well as those who continue to promote and interpret it."