The popular visitor attraction in Marsden, West Yorkshire, celebrates the nation's longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel, Standedge Tunnel, which takes the Huddersfield Narrow Canal under the Pennines.
For many years a hit with visitors, the centre has now proved it has first class sustainable credentials too. The award is proof of excellence in energy and water efficiency, waste and recycling, ethical sourcing and ‘green' values.
We have made a range of improvements across the centre and Tunnel End Café over the past year. These include a £45,000 investment in low energy lighting, improved recycling facilities and an increased focus on working with local suppliers and community involvement.
Claire Atkinson, Standedge duty manager, said: "We always felt that Standedge was a sustainable visitor attraction but we wanted to learn, test ourselves and improve. We discovered the Green Tourism Board and saw this as a great opportunity to measure our effectiveness. We have worked hard and made many changes such as investing in low energy technology.
"Many of the changes have cost little if anything. For example we now recycle the majority of our kitchen waste in new green tombola bins. The composters cost us nothing, but mean that we continue to drive down the amount of waste sent to landfill. Our young visitors can even help by giving the composters a spin. The Green Tourism Board has made some excellent suggestions of where we can make further improvements and we look forward to getting even greener in the coming months.
"Visitors too can help reduce their carbon footprint by arriving on public transport. We are just a short delightful stroll along the towpath from Marsden Train Station and anyone arriving by public transport or bicycle can even look forward to free refills in the café as a reward."
We are certified to the Carbon Trust Standard – delivering a further 6.7% reduction in our CO2 emissions from 2014-2016.
David Baldacchino, local waterway manager with the Trust, added: "Working more sustainably is a key ambition for Canal & River Trust. We're really proud to have achieved this award for Standedge Visitor Centre".
