Geograph - photograph every grid square

Kings Norton Tunnel south portal

The 29 mile Worcester & Birmingham Canal's final 16 miles opened in 1815. Also known as Wast Hill or West Hill Tunnel, this 2726 yd (2493m) bore was completed in 1797 and is one of the longest in the country. For some unknown reason, pairs of donkeys rather than a single horse were used to tow narrow boats on this canal. Boats had to be legged through the tunnel until the 1870s when a steam powered and later diesel tunnel tug service operated as there isn't a towpath. The intention had been the whole canal would be broad gauge like the tunnel but this proved to be too expensive when they reached Tardebigge and needed around 35 locks within 2 or 3 miles. It is usually difficult to see right through the tunnel and last time I went through the old brackets and insulators still lined the roof that used to carry telegraph lines through the tunnel.