WORK to re-open a tunnel that was filled in during the Second World War is set to begin next month.

The work, part of a multi-million pound canal restoration project, will take place underneath the A449 Worcester to Kidderminster road at Hawford.

When complete it will once again link the canal from Droitwich with the river Severn.

Contractor Alun Griffiths will also carry out the restoration of the first six locks from Porters Mill to the Severn.

Worcestershire County Council chairman Alwyn Davies said: “This is fantastic news. Discussions on how best to reforge a path beneath the A449 have been going on for some time, especially seeing as the road, until last autumn, was the responsibility of the High-ways Agency.

“Now this hurdle has been crossed, it shouldn’t be too long before we can start to realise the fantastic opportunities for economic regeneration that the project carries.”

The old bridge crossing was filled in by Italian prisoners-of-war when a stronger road was needed for tanks on their way from Liverpool to the south coast for the D-Day landings.

Investigations have established the exact location of the old bridge and the new tunnel will be on a slightly different alignment leaving the old bridge almost completely intact.

Work is set to start on the new crossover points on Monday, November 3.

A contra-flow will be in operation from Wednesday, November 19.

The county council said every effort would be made to minimise potential traffic congestion while the work, which is expected to last until July next year, is carried out.

This is one of the final parts of the £11.5 million Droitwich canals restoration project establishing a 21-mile cruising ring.