Unique Dudley canal tour takes members through tunnels

Working in partnership with the Canal and River Trust and Dudley Canal Trust, British Canoeing are carrying out an eight mile tour through two tunnels.

The trip extends through the Dudley and Netherton Tunnels with over three miles of the route being underground.

British Canoeing waterways and environment manager Chris Page said: "This is a great opportunity for paddlers in the East Midlands, as the Netherton Tunnel is usually closed - and the Dudley is by special arrangement.

"It's an 8 mile paddle, but with nearly 4miles underground, through caverns, caves, old mines and some of the canal network's longest tunnels.

"There's not very many places where you can do a circular canoe trip with so much underground time.

"Its a great partnership between British Canoeing's West Midlands Development Team, Canal & River Trust and Dudley Canal Trust."

Those on the tour will travel the two tunnels, with a trip down the Dudley Tunnel, a complex of canal tunnels connecting underground caverns and mines, and the Netherton Tunnel, which is 1.7 miles long.

The Dudley Canal Trust only otherwise allow canoeists through the tunnels on days when they are closed to their tour boats, or before they begin operation in the morning.

Taking place on Saturday October 21, those taking part will set off at 8.30am from the entrance of the Dudley Tunnel.

British Canoeing volunteer Mark Harding said: "It's absolutely unique, to do two separate tunnels you couldn't really do that anywhere else.

"We do a circuit and about 45% of it is underground.

"We have an excellent relationship with the Canal and River Trust and what we've done is to organise a tour of the two Black Country canals both of which are normally closed to canoe traffic.

"We can now do about a 13 kilometre tour starting off at the Dudley canal trust site by the Black Country living museum."

"It takes on board the black country industrial heritage and provides a trip for paddling enthusiasts.

"It's really aimed at members of British Canoeing but it is open to the public but they will have to get a day licence from the Canal and River Trust because you need a licence.

"There's been a good response so far from British Canoeing members, an a eight and a half mile paddle is no mean feat.

"It's paddling all the way, its not like being on the river where you go with the flow, this is not for the faint-hearted.

"It should be an enjoyable and rewarding day out and somewhat different from the usual."

The tour is open to members of British Canoeing and members of the public who are advised to have previous experience paddling.

Participants will need a paddling kit, a white forward-facing light which is a minimum 80 lumens, a buoyancy aid and a whistle.

Limitations mean just 25 people will be able to joint the new tour and will also need to be members of British Canoeing.

Each member is asked to make a £5 voluntary donation which will go towards the Dudley Canal Trust who maintain the tunnels and caverns.

For further information about the event or to sign up contact Mark.Harding@acivico.co.uk or stourbridgearmcanoeclub@gmail.com

Alternatively visit www.britishcanoeing.org.uk/news/2017/west-midlands-rdt-dudley-tunnels-tour