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Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal - Stourport Basin is celebrating being awarded a ‘Red Wheel’.

Stourport Basin receives top award from the Transport Trust

Stourport Basin is celebrating being awarded a ‘Red Wheel’ plaque from the Transport Trust in recognition of the historical interest of this well-known waterway landmark.

The Red Wheel scheme is a programme, much like English Heritage's Blue Plaques, that commemorates transport sites of historical interest. The nationwide scheme was launched in 2009.

Stourport-on-Severn is uniquely the only town in Britain built solely as a consequence of the coming of the canals. The Staffordshire & Worcestershire Canal was built by the renowned Georgian engineer, James Brindley, and opened to Stourport in 1771. It links the River Severn with the Trent & Mersey Canal.

David Viner, British Waterways’ heritage adviser said: “Stourport Basin is a great example of brilliant canal engineering which is still a thriving canal link some 250 years after it was originally built. We are really pleased to accept this award from the Transport Trust.”

A major regeneration of the basin, the heart of Stourport, was completed in 2008. The basin has received considerable investment over the last few years and has benefitted from the continuing support of Stourport Forward, and a strong core of around 30 volunteers.

Stuart Wilkinson, chair of the Transport Trust said: "Stourport Basin is a wonderful example of Britain's working heritage and the site thoroughly deserves its award. Our waterways and the engineers who built them played major roles in the Industrial Revolution and, 250 years later, the Transport Trust is delighted to be helping to commemorate them and highlighting their exciting legacy."

“This Red Wheel plaque recognises the efforts of those that built and restored the canal as well as those who continue to promote and interpret it. Their combined efforts have ensured that Stourport Basin remain a fascinating aspect of local life.”

The Tontine Stable Heritage Room and Old Ticket Office will be open to visitors on Wednesday afternoon, and there will be a short guided walk around the port after the event. Alternatively, visitors can download a Discovery Trail featuring hidden historic facts from www.stourporttown.co.uk