Restoration Sequences :  the parallel 'thirds'.

Leaving the Tunnel until last allows for concentration on the two Approaches to achieve the more immediate and tangible benefits of restoration. Taken in order, away from their respective junctions with existing waterways, both of these lengths further divide into three sections. This results in a restoration sequence of paired projects, each of which may become an individually-scheduled, stand-alone project within a budget plan. Schematically, they are;

St Mary's across the A456 : an aqueduct?

With the construction of the M5 motorway near Halesowen,  the transformation of the once narrow Manor Lane into the present A456 Manor Way dual-carriageway, imposed a major severance on the canal. Originally, it crossed alongside the Black Horse pub (in, now, its lower car-park) and then meandered South towards the fish-ponds of St Mary's Abbey before turning East to the tunnel portal in Lapal. Unfortunately, the required water-level for the restored canal is now in direct conflict with the A456 gradient if it was to be reinstated at its former crossing by the pub. However, on the South side, a rectangle of open rural land can be identified between the pub, an open-cast mine to the west, St Mary's Abbey to the south and the fish ponds. If the canal was to cross the A456 in the vicinity of the mine (some 150 yards west of the pub) the A456 gradient makes it sufficiently lower at this point, for the canal to traverse in an aqueduct. This could be one of an impressive, ultra-modern design and amongst its several benefits, its towpath-walkway would provide a much-needed, safe pedestrian crossing over the A456. Thus, as the parcel of rural land becomes reconnected, so a series of other improvements can be considered. For example, the Black Horse could be reconstructed and elevated to the status of a full hotel, accompanied by extensive moorings (in the old canal channel) as a focus for recreational activities in this pleasant rural setting.

In the district of Weoley Castle where the canal passes close by the ruins of the 13th Century manor house of that name, there is a triangular parcel of land which also offers huge potential. Its apex lies to the east, where the Stonehouse Brook crosses the canal in a former culvert, and its base is to the west, embracing the California common land (with the former tunnel portal buried beneath). In principle, this triangle affords a realistic opportunity for the expansive creation of a range of amenities which may include some or all, of the following;

- a canal-connected moat for the Ruins, with swing-bridge to legitimise access - a visitor centre; over-seeing the Ruins - a pub and restaurant; over-looking the Ruins - a community centre with sports, leisure and youth facilities - a marina (in the vicinity of the former road stone premises) - diversion of Stonehouse Brook water into the canal to add to the entire BCN
the castle moat at Kirby Muxloe, Leicestershire

This is a second example where restoration of the Lapal Canal could trigger a range of additional and timely developments to benefit the local community over and above the mere return of (for them) a short stretch of water!

Of course, the resulting tunnel would have none of the historical authenticity of the original, so there is an ambitious proposal to exploit to full effect, its ultra-modern contrast with the past. The centre of the Lapal Tunnel and the site of its former ventilation shaft now lies near the rear of the Woodgate Valley Visitor Centre. At that point the Tunnel's water level is approximately 60ft below ground. The suggestion is to form a link down to the new tunnel and create a "huge" underground cylindrical cavern with a glass dome roof and internal floors beneath of ultra-modern construction (e.g. metal-glass). The rooms on the uppermost, ground-level floor would serve as the replacement Visitor Centre while the lower, subterranean floors would house the Canal Museum which many commentators believe Birmingham should have.
Finally, the water-level base of this construction would be a circular marina for boating visitors to have direct access to the Museum from beneath. With an imaginative design, the entire construction (the "Rotunda-Under"?) would have several aspects in common with the Cornish Eden Project, but in a prominent site in the West Midlands with the potential to be a unique and prestigious day-out tourist attraction for decades to come.

Considered all together, the two heritage sites if fully developed and then linked by a tunnel with a 'hidden' museum chamber, could elevate the Lapal Greenway into becoming a highly significant and fascinating recreational corridor with something-for-everyone appeal?

Meanwhile, in full contrast to these three grand yet highly-speculative projects, canal restoration also brings a series of almost-certain opportunities for smaller-scale enhancements. For full authenticity, modern restoration must include the sympathetic recovery of the towpath together with the reinstatement of former bridges, as the all-important provisions for the non-boating communities to enjoy the greenway corridor. For the Lapal restoration, it is proposed that the towpath will be re-instated to run predominantly along the southern (or western) flank. In addition, all surfaces will be wide and level or of a gentle gradient, so they remain friendly to the pedal cyclist, wheel-chair user and baby-carriage pusher, as well as the walker, jogger and runner. Particularly for this canal, its special proximity to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital complex also makes its eastern end a uniquely strategic corridor for rehabilitation excursions (via the W&B canal) during convalescence after medical treatment and appropriate provisions are also being proposed in this special context (e.g. benches at regular intervals).

(This would appear to be a particularly strong possibility along the Lodge Hill meander where a restoration detail of dual vertical sides (and towpath switch) requires less channel width than the former sloping-offside profile.)

Typically, these utilize local and sometimes national volunteers and expertise - and are always great fun for the enthusiastic participant! Likewise, attendance at waterway meetings and festivals, and local events and fetes ensures that the aims of the project are made known to as wide a compass of interested parties as possible. These gatherings are great fun, too!