Tunnels on the Canal
Three tunnels were originally planned although it was found that a fourth was needed.
- Putnal Tunnel – 460 yards
- Newnham Tunnel – 100 yards (not originally planned)
- Southnett Tunnel – 1,250 yards
- Pensax Tunnel – 3,850 yards
Tunnels - Explain the Bat Cave. Had the Pensax tunnel been completed, at 2 ¼ miles it would have been the third longest canal tunnel in Britain.
Putnal Tunnel, near Orleton
The first of the tunnels on the canal at 460 yards is the Putnal tunnel. Cut through Puntnal Hill it was built using a single vertical construction shaft sunk halfway along the tunnels length.
This shaft meant that the tunnel could be dug from four separate faces.
Please Note That Only The Newnham Tunnel Has Public Access. Putnal, Southnett & Pensax are Located On Private Land and can not be Visited Without Prior Permission From The Landowners.
South portal, Putnal tunnel.
North portal, Putnal tunnel.
Work being carried out on the north portal. Lime mortar is being used to point and stabilise the brickwork
