This page contains short archive news items about the Huddersfield Narrow and Broad Canals. Longer items are on separate pages of their own. See the Home Page for links to other recent news items or the Archived Features Page for links to other archived items.

March 3rd 2008

British Waterways is proposing major changes to the way that boats pass through Standedge Tunnel!

The present system (which will continue in operation during 2008) is a complex operation, requiring an electric tug and passenger module pulling customers' boats through in a convoy on just two days a week. A safety vehicle in the adjacent disused railway tunnel shadows the convoy. BW staff are positioned on each boat, fending it off the tunnel sides. The operation is very labour intensive and costly to run.

Tests carried out during 2007 have shown that it is feasible for diesel engines to be operated routinely within the canal tunnel, enabling British Waterways to rethink how boats can be taken through the tunnel.

BW's proposal is that from 2009 customers' boats would pass through the tunnel under their own power, piloted by a trained qualified British Waterways staff member.

Boaters would be able to remain on their boats and pets will also be allowed to remain on board.

To make this feasible, BW proposed some modifcations to the tunnel, including removing some hazardous rock projections and highlighting or fendering others, improving safety signage, adding distance indicators and installing more flexible communications systems within the tunnel.

The proposals, if approved, will result in a faster passage time of around 1.5 hours and improved welfare arrangements for British Waterways staff.

BW will continue talking with partners Network Rail and the Emergency Services regarding the safety issues as the proposals have implications for their operations.

The guided visitor trips from Tunnel End on the glass roofed boat using electric tugs will continue but BW will be keeping the operation under constant review because of concerns about the future reliability of the electric tugs.

BW's Laurence Morgan said:

"We carried out a number of trials this year with a diesel tug operation to establish definitive information about potential problems with noxious fumes, test welfare and emergency responses as well as our control of the tunnel operations.

"The tests showed that gas emissions inside the tunnel were not a cause for concern and it may be possible to reduce the time taken to go through the tunnel down to one and a half hours.

"Moving on from this we are now considering a piloted operation of customers' own boats by British Waterways trained qualified staff. This will be far better than the very complex operation we have at present.

"For 2008 we will be keeping the operation as is but a project team will be running some further low level trials to ensure that the business case is robust.

"Although it is early days yet, we are very enthusiastic about the proposed changes as we feel this will offer our customers a vastly improved level of service and enable them to enjoy the trip through the highest, longest and deepest tunnel in the country far more than is possible at present."

The proposed changes should result in a more flexible operation for boaters, which could include passages on more than the present two days a week.

The piloting of boats by BW staff should reduce concerns that Network Rail may have than adventurous boaters might stop off and investigate the adits through into the active rail tunnel. It would also mean that in the event of an emergency, the qualified BW operative on board would be in radio contact with the tunnel office to ensure that emergency procedures are followed.

The 2008 season at Standedge starts from Saturday 15th March with the first through trips scheduled for Wednesday 19th and Friday 21st March. Boaters wanting to book passage should contact BW on 0113 281 6860.

March 2nd 2008

A brand new Towpath Guide for the Huddersfield Narrow Canal has just been published by the Huddersfield Canal Society.

The new 90 page guide has over 500 full colour photographs and detailed maps covering the length of the Narrow, plus short sections of the Ashton and Huddersfield Broad Canals.

The illustrations below show a typical double spread, with a detailed map on the left and photos on the right. The photos show the view in both directs along the canal, with the location of each photo indicated on the map.

The guide has been written and compiled by Huddersfield Canal Society Administrator, Dr Bob Gough, who describes it as "a labour of love".

The guide costs just £4.99 + £1.50 for post and packing. It has been subsidised by the Society as part of its aim to promote the canal for the enjoyment of all.

Please see this page on the Canal Society's website for more details, including an order form.

February 1st 2008

The annual Imbolc Celtic Fire Festival is to be celebrated on Saturday 2nd February at Standedge Tunnel.

The spectacle, which has been held for 14 years, includes a torchlit procession, starting from Marsden Railway Station car park at 7.00 pm, along Reddisher Road to Tunnel End.

The crowds will be entertained by drummers, live music and spectacular fireworks.

Imbolc is a 2000 year old Celtic Festival which marks the first signs of spring, marking the time when the Earth begins to wake-up after its winter sleep. The lighting of candles and fires represents the return of warmth and the increasing power of the Sun.

Members of the public are asked not to bring dogs as the fireworks may distress animals.

October 25th 2007

Standedge Tunnel has been praised for being a "well managed attraction offering an excellent overall visitor experience".

The commendation comes in a recent quality assessment report by the Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS).

The staff at Standedge were commended for "sharing their pride in the attraction for the benefit of visitors" and for their warm welcome. The inspector also singled out the guided tour on the boat as "excellent" with a good clear delivery of the commentary by the guide which contained considerable information sprinkled with humour.

There was also praise for the provision of detailed and clear signage and displays, including the brass rubbing pedestal which encourages children to interact, and the display in Tunnel End Cottages featuring the history of the locality.

The site was described as "litter free with excellent planting and giving an overall very welcoming feel".

Janet Baverstock of British Waterways said: "This really puts the icing on the cake as regards our achievements this year. Despite the disappointing weather, Standedge has enjoyed another good year with a series of varied events which give added value to visitors to the site. I am pleased to say that the comments we see in the Visitors' Book and feedback face to face bear out the praise in the report.

"All credit goes to our staff, and also to the volunteers from organisations such as the Huddersfield Canal Society and the Horseboating Society, whose enthusiasm and dedication have helped make Standedge the success we have enjoyed again this year."

Standedge was also a finalist in this year's Yorkshire Tourist Board White Rose Awards (Visitor Attraction under 50,000 category) and runner-up in British Waterways' national Waterways Excellence Awards.

October 24th 2007

One of Britain's top ghosthunters, David Vee, has been called in to investigate paranormal activity on Standedge's very first "Fright Night".

On Saturday 27th October, David and members of his paranormal team will be exploring inside the mysterious tunnel and holding vigils inside the visitor centre.

The event starts at 8:00 pm and will finish at 3:00 am and those lucky enough to have got tickets should arrive 15 minutes beforehand. The evening will be split into two tunnel trips, a ghost walk around the site and David will also be presenting some of his findings, including some voice recordings on a recent visit to Britain's most haunted house, Chingle Hall in Lancashire, before exploring the Visitor Centre's supernatural activity.

The Hallowe'en Fright Night is limited to 60 people at a cost of £35 per head. Places can be reserved by telephoning the Standedge team on 01484 844298. Cheques should be made payable to British Waterways and sent to Simon Henry, Marketing and Communications Assistant, British Waterways, Fearns Wharf, Neptune Street, Leeds, LS9 8PB.

Janet Baverstock, Business Development Manager for British Waterways Yorkshire, said: "David visited us earlier in the year for a trip into the tunnel and was so intrigued and excited with Standedge that he wanted to come back to hold an investigation. Standedge is steeped in history - for example, during the construction of the tunnel, many of the navvies lost their lives due to the dangerous working conditions, so who knows, they could have decided that the tunnel would be their final resting place!"

People attending the Fright Night must be over 16 years old and will need to bring suitable warm clothing and footwear and a packed lunch. Non-alcoholic drinks will be provided.

David has dedicated his life to researching and documenting paranormal activity and admits to having seen over 3,000 ghosts. He saw his first ghost when he was just five years old and ever since he has been fascinated by them. In 1987, David founded Ghosts-UK and began investigating paranormal activity in various haunted locations around the country.

David said: "I have always believed that there is something more than just what we see in front of us. Ghosts are ordinary people and how you see them depends as much on you, as it does on the ghost."

"The event at Standedge is a great opportunity for anyone who is curious about ghosts to get an understanding of what we do on an investigation. Standedge is a great prospect for us as it has real history and an air of mystery. I picked up on some activity around the site when I visited recently, particularly in the tunnel, so I can't wait to lead people on this journey and see what we can discover."

In addition to the "Fright Night" event, Hallowe'en themed boat trips will be running into the tunnel on Saturday 27th, Sunday 28th, Tuesday 30th and Wednesday 31st October.

September 23rd 2007

British Waterways organised a special celebration for Grandparents' Day at Standedge Tunnel.

To mark the day, grandparents and their grandchildren were invited to take a trip into the tunnel together. They were given a free piece of Standedge Rock, along with a certificate!

The Deputy Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Karam Hussain, came along with his grandchildren for a ride (see photo, right).

And, as their contribution to the World's Largest Coffee Morning, which raises funds for MacMillan Cancer Support, BW donated part of the price of each cup of tea or coffee sold to the cause.

There was face painting and a bouncy castle for the grandchildren.

For all ages, members of the Horseboating Society demonstrated how a boat horse was harnessed (with Bonny the Boathorse modelling) and talked about the skills used by boatmen in bygone days.

August 10th 2007

Members of the Institute of Civil Engineers marked the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Telford with a visit to Standedge Tunnel.

After taking a short trip inside the tunnel, the group enjoyed an illustrated talk on the Life and Times of Telford given by Alan McCartney, Chairman of the I.C.E.'s Retired Members Section, to which guests and members of the public were invited.

Thomas Telford was the first president of the Institute of Civil Engineers, whose library includes original documents relating to Telford's involvement with Standedge Tunnel. Telford is credited as putting the floundering canal project back on track and ensuring its opening.

In recognition of Telford's achievements, Marian Hogg, Yorkshire & Humber Regional Chairman, presented George Ballinger, British Waterways' Head of Engineering, with a commemorative plaque, which will now be put on public display at the Visitor Centre.

Mr Ballinger said: "We were delighted to host this visit to celebrate Telford's birthday and recognise his amazing achievement in completing Standedge Tunnel as it's such an integral part of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the heritage of our waterways."

Visitors to Standedge that day were also treated to demonstrations of boathorse harnessing and blacksmithing.

Photos -
Above right: The engineers and guests disembark after their trip into Standedge Tunnel.
Below left: Alan McCartney giving the talk on Thomas Telford.
Below right: Alan McCartney (right) cuts Telford's birthday cake while Marian Hogg presents the plaque to George Ballinger (centre). (Photo: Bob Bennett, ICE)

July 25th 2007

British Waterways has announced that passengers will be unable to be taken on the through trips in Standedge Tunnel for the next few weeks.

This is due to technical problems with the tug and passenger module. Boats will still be able to be towed through the tunnel but their crews will be transferred by taxi over the moors from one portal to the other. This is expected to continue for about four weeks.

Short passenger trips into the tunnel from Tunnel End, Marsden, will operate as normal.

You may phone British Waterways on 0113 281 6860 for the latest information.

June 1st 2007

To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the birth of Thomas Telford, a plaque was unveiled at the Diggle portal of Standedge Tunnel.

The plaque, funded by the Newcomen Society and the Huddersfield Canal Society, acknowledges the part played by Telford in rescuing the faltering canal project and ensuring its completion.

It was unveiled by veteran waterways campaigner James Sutherland, who, in 1948 has been aboard Ailsa Craig, which passed through Standedge Tunnel and was the last boat to travel the full length of the canal before it closed.

Also present at the unveiling was Sonia Rolt, whose husband Tom had also been aboard Ailsa Craig. She spoke passionately about the threats facing our waterways in the light of the recent funding cutbacks.

James Sutherland and Sonia Rolt joined a group of Newcomen Society members in a walk up the Diggle lock flight, built to Telford's specifications. After the unveiling, they travelled through Standedge Tunnel to Marsden on one of the modern electric tunnel passenger boats.

Photo, below: left to right - Michael Bailey (North West chairman of the Newcomen Society), Alwyn Ogborn (Huddersfield Canal Society), James Sutherland, Ann Wingate JP (Mayor of Oldham) and Sonia Rolt.

March 21st 2007

Lock 2w of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in Ashton has once again got balance beams on its tail gates! Boaters will be relieved to know that the hydraulic gate and paddle mechanisms have been consigned to history!

The bridge that crosses the lock tail was widened during the period when the canal was shut. When the canal was restored, there was no room for traditional balance beams, so a hydraulic system was introduced instead.

Operating this lock was time-consuming and required considerable effort. The tail gates also leaked badly where there was a big gap between them near the top when they were closed.

The hydraulic mechanisms have now gone completely, to be replaced with well-designed steel crooked beams and geared gate paddle operation along with brand-new gates.

The tiresome hydraulic tail gates and paddles remain at Lock 1w, however.

During this winter's repair work around Lock 2w, 12 tonnes of waste material were removed from the lock chamber!

Further east along the canal, 100 Tesco and Somerfield shopping trolleys have been removed from the canal at Stalybridge.

October 7th 2006

A familiar bridge in Huddersfield has gone - for now!

The low-arched wooden footbridge which spanned the Huddersfield Broad Canal at Aspley basin for the last 25 years has been taken down.

The bridge had been suffering from rot and has been closed to pedestrians for around five months.

A few days ago, the bridge was lifted from its abutments by crane and dismantled on the canal side.

Visitors who enjoyed seeingthe bridge's graceful shape should not be too alarmed, however, as the bridge is to be replaced with a similar-looking bridge in November.

The replacement will be constructed of treated timber. It is expected to cost over £150,000 and will be paid for by Whitbreads, the brewery which owns The Aspley pub.

Update: The replacement bridge is now in place.

Right top: The footbridge across the Huddersfield Broad Canal at Aspley.

Right bottom: The same location this week with no footbridge!

August 8th 2006

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal was closed for one day at Mossley, following overnight action by vandals.

The half-mile long pound between Locks 12w and 13w was dewatered by vandals opening the paddles at Lock 12w, near Scout Tunnel.

The pound gradually filled up with water flowing through the by-wash of Lock 13w and from a stream inlet. British Waterways expected the level to be back to normal and the pound open again within 24 hours.

Update, 9th August: The level is now back to normal and navigation is again possible.

Right: Huddersfield Narrow Canal recovering at Mossley.