Why not more Standedge boats?

MEMBERS of the Huddersfield Canal Society are concerned that though £32 millions were spent on restoring the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and Standedge Tunnel, only nine boats a week are allowed passage.

Canal & River Trust only open the tunnel to boats on three days a week and only in season, which members feel is not enough to satisfy the demand, especially during high summer when boaters wanting to experience the trip 'under their own steam' through the tunnel are prevented from doing so by the restrictions of only nine boats a week, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Questioning CaRT

Officials of the Huddersfield Canal Society have been making their feeling known in the Huddersfield Daily Examiner, with officials of the Society questioning CaRT as to why more trips are not allowed through the tunnel especially in view of the huge cost in restoring the waterway.

It is realised that every boat must have its 'chaperone', but it was stated that there have been two more that have volunteered, that of course will be of no cost to the Trust.

It is believed that it is not the number of locks that put people off cruising the 'Narrow' but the restrictions on the number of boats allowed to go through the tunnel.  There are 74 locks in all, but they are narrow locks that in themselves are fairly easy to operate.

Lock sinkings

What is perhaps putting boaters off are the reports of the all too often lock sinkings, but surely caused by boater error, allowing the stern on the cill. A fairly common occurrence, but perhaps exaggerated with so many locks in such a short distance.

Of course there are the empty pounds caused by excessive leaking. But our own experiences—we have cruised the waterway in each direction—is that Fred Carter, who arrived within 15 minutes of our call, takes you through, controlling the water to float the boat, which turns out to be an educating and interesting experience.

Should experience

Cruising the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and the Standedge Tunnel is something we believe every boater should experience. The Pennine scenery is breathtaking, the journey through the tunnel is out of this world, and the locks?—worth the effort.

As more and more boaters demand to be allowed to cruise this spectacular waterway, perhaps then CaRT may relinquish its hide-bound attitude and allow more to enjoy it.

But alas, there are both height and length restrictions, so make sure your boat can make it, especially if completing a ring taking in the restrictive Huddersfield Broad Canal.

To see Victor's report of our cruise of the Huddersfield Narrow during 2011—Click