narrowboatworld

DURING last year the then British Waterways took it upon itself to ban swimming from Sparth Reservoir near Marsden on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.

It erected notices banning swimming in the reservoir, even though it had been used by locals for generations, Alan Tilbury tells us.

The picture shows swimmers taking part in a swim in the reservoir to raise money for cancer, that British Waterways wanted to stop.

Outcry

This caused an outcry, for as is now usual, there had been no consultation, with the signs simply being put up.

But a group, Save Sparth Swimming, was soon convened, with the outcome that Kirklees Council has overruled CART, and is set to release money to erect its own signs stating that swimming is allowed, with a proviso to look out for hidden objects.