£300,000 canal restoration contract agreed

The Lapal Canal Trust has agreed a contract with Land & Water Services Ltd to construct the first part of the Dudley No. 2 Canal restoration in Selly Oak.

The contract was signed by Dr Andrew Hardie (pictured), chair of the Lapal Canal Trust, and Kevin Kirkland, construction director of Land & Water.

The new water feature section completes the development of Whitehouse Wharf and forms part of the Selly Oak Shopping Centre owned by M&G Real Estate.

The area includes a bridge linking the new shops to Selly Oak town centre, the remains of a lime kiln and a new public square.

The large water area is designed to enable boats to turn and enter and exit the soon to be restored Dudley No. 2 Canal.

It hopes to be an attractive calming water feature in the heart of Selly Oak, to be enjoyed by all canal users - including canoeists, paddle boaters and anglers.

It is also large enough to be a convenient destination for trip boats to and from central Birmingham.

Around 50 charities, companies and individuals have helped to fund the project.

The larger funders are Veolia, Garfield Weston, Headley Trust, Landsec, Unite Students, William Cadbury, Jabbs and Rowland Trust.

Legal arrangements were managed by Gowlings WLG who have been long-term backers of the project.

The Lapal Canal Trust is now focused on raising the further £500,000 required to complete the restoration to Harborne Lane Bridge, which must be completed by 2025.

Adnan Saif, Canal & River Trust director for West Midlands, said: “The winding hole will open great opportunities for all kinds of water-based activities and will serve to increase the vibrancy and visitor attraction in Selly Oak and wider canal network.

“The Canal & River Trust is pleased to work with the Lapal Canal Trust to achieve this significant milestone, and on future developments. ”

Kevin Kirkland, construction director at Land & Water, said: “We are very much looking forward to working with the Lapal Canal Trust and getting started on building the first section of the Dudley No2 Canal and.

“At Land & Water, we pride ourselves on maintaining and enhancing the UK 's waterways for years to come and this is a perfect example of how the canal can be used to benefit surrounding communities and boat lovers. ”