May marks a quarter of a century since the Huddersfield Narrow Canal was reopened. Since 2012, you’ve helped us care for a spectacular canal that took a miracle to build and restore.
Approaching Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal
Thanks to your support, we’ve helped bring the spectacular Standedge Tunnel back to life, improved towpaths and walking routes on both sides of the Pennines and stepped in to carry out essential repairs after serious floods and storm damage.
However, all our work on the canal only follows in the footsteps of local canal enthusiasts, the Huddersfield Canal Society, who started to restore the waterway and Standedge Tunnel to its former glory in 1974 before it finally reopened under the auspices of our predecessors, British Waterways in 2001.
Some called that an impossible restoration, but in fact it’s truly incredible that the canal was ever built in the first place. Work began on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal in 1794 under the direction of renowned engineer Benjamin Outram.
Originally conceived as a lucrative trade route across the Pennines, despite being just under 20 miles long, the project was beset with difficulties, most notably at Standedge Tunnel.
With nothing but hand-held tools, basic explosives, and sheer brute strength, carving this three-and-a-quarter-mile thoroughfare through the Pennines was a mammoth task that cost the lives of 50 navvies. The tunnel was only completed as the highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel in the UK after Thomas Telford stepped in to help.
Inside Standedge Tunnel on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal
The canal formally opened in 1811, but with spiralling costs and the advent of the railways, by the early 20th century, it fell into decline and in 1944, the canal was finally abandoned. And the story might have ended there, but for efforts of the Huddersfield Canal Society who were determined to restore the waterway to its former glory.
Yet by then, the canal had been neglected for some 30 years; large sections had been infilled, Standedge Tunnel hadn’t been navigated since the late 1940s, and all 74 locks lay derelict. Yet, against the odds, the society, with the support of our predecessors, British Waterways, eventually prevailed.
In May 2001, more than half a century since its abandonment, HRH The Prince of Wales cut the ribbon at a grand re-opening ceremony, ushering in a new era for the long-forgotten waterway. Thanks to our Friends and supporters, the Canal & River Trust has been caring for this spectacular canal, but again, it’s a canal that’s always had ups and downs.
Embankment slip on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal
For example, in January last year, after a large section of the embankment below Lock 11 collapsed following unprecedented rainfall, your gifts helped us carry out urgently needed repairs. With support from your donations, our engineers rebuilt the entire embankment using an ingenious solution of carefully layered rock bags.
A little further east, we’ve also upgraded a section of historic towpath between Marsden and Slaithwaite, where the route is being resurfaced with a durable, all-weather material. Now in the final stages of a five-year project, the new and improved towpath will, once complete, enable more people to walk, wheel, and cycle along this tranquil, timeless stretch of the canal.
With your support, our local team have also turned a Standedge Tunnel, into one of our most popular canal destinations, offering boat day trips through the tunnel and safer and smoother passage for boaters than ever.
These vital projects, and many more like them, have been kept alive for everyone to enjoy thanks to your passion for canals. And, in this anniversary year, it’s the perfect time to see your support in action and pay a visit to this peaceful canal winding lazily through the Pennines.
This summer, we’re working with our partners to celebrate the rejuvenated waterway’s 25th anniversary with two days of entertainment at Standedge Tunnel across 1 and 2 August.
Featuring Robbie Cumming of ‘Canal Diaries’ fame, there’ll be boat trips, brass bands, food stalls, and a re-enactment of the lavish re-opening ceremony from 2001. But you needn’t wait until August to explore this breathtaking part of our network.
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal gives you the chance to explore spectacular Pennine scenery
With its distinctive narrow locks, rugged hills, tree-lined banks, and historic mills and warehouses, there’s plenty to see and do all year round. You can hire a boat, walk, run or cycle along the picturesque towpath, or if you’re feeling particularly adventurous, join us on one of our guided canoe trips through Standedge Tunnel.
However you choose to enjoy the Huddersfield Narrow Canal this year, it’s worth remembering the brave men who built it, the ambitious volunteers who saved it, and all those, including Friends and supporters like you, who help care for it today.
