link - huddersfield narrow canal · 2013. 12. 15. · company report the momentous changes along...

Members Quarterly Journal - Issue 134 - Autumn 2000Members Quarterly Journal - Issue 134 - Autumn 2000

PenninePennineLinkLink

239 Mossley Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire, OL6 6LNTel: 0161 339 1332 Fax: 0161 343 2262EMail: [email protected] Website: www.hcanals.demon.co.ukGeneral Secretary - Frank Smith Administration - Robert Gough

The opinions expressed in Pennine Link are not necessarily those of the Huddersfield Canal Society.Permission to repeat any of the features in Pennine Link is granted, provided that the source is cknowledged.

Huddersfield Canal Society Ltd

David Sumner 4 Whiteoak Close, Marple, Stockport, Cheshire SK6 6NTChairman Tel: 0161 449 9084

Trevor Ellis 20 Batley Avenue, Marsh, Huddersfield, HD1 4NAVice-Chairman Tel: 01484 534666

John Sully 19 Kingfishers, Peterborough, Cambridge, PE2 6YHTreasurer Tel: 01733 236650

John Fryer Ramsdens Solicitors, Ramsden Street, Huddersfield, HD1 2THCompany Secretary

Keith Gibson Syke Cottage, Scholes Moor Road, Holmfirth, HD7 1SNHCS Restoration Ltd Tel: 01484 681245

Jack Carr 19 Sycamore Avenue, Euxton, Chorley, Lancashire, PR7 6JRWest Side Social Chairman Tel: 01257 265786

Josephine Young HCS Ltd, 239 Mossley Road, Ashton-u-Lyne, Lancs., OL6 6LNMembership Secretary Tel: 0161 339 1332

Brian Minor 45 Gorton Street, Peel Green, Eccles, Manchester, M30 7LZFestivals Officer Tel: 0161 288 5324

Ken Wright Bridge House, Dobcross, Oldham, Lancashire, OL3 5NLEditor - Pennine Link Tel: 01457 873599

Vince Willey 45 Egmont Street, Ashton-u-Lyne, Lancashire, OL5 9NBBoats Officer Tel: 0161 339 1332

Alwyn Ogborn 14 Stanhope Street, Mossley, Ashton-u-Lyne, Lancs., OL5 9LXSpecial Events Co-ordinator Tel: 01457 833329

Allen Brett 31 Woodlands Road, Milnrow, Rochdale, Lancs., OL16 4EYGeneral Council Member Tel: 01706 641203

Neville Kenyon Meadow Head, Tottington, Bury, Lancashire, BL8 3PPGeneral Council Member

Keith Noble The Dene, Triangle, Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, HX6 3EAGeneral Council Member Tel: 01422 823562

Alec Ramsden 16 Edgemoor Road, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, HD7 2HPGeneral Council Member Tel: 01484 662246

2 - Pennine Link - Autumn 2000

Autumn 2000 - Pennine Link - 3

PennineAutumn 2000 Issue 134

Link

HCC Report 6Project Director Alan Stopher continues hisround-up of the progress in restoration.

Volunteers Needed 20As the Canal Society looks forward to life afterrestoration, the role of volunteers becomes vital.

Waterways for Tomorrow 22Keith Gibson gives his views on the White Paper.

Horsedrawn Boat Journey 25Sue Day leads the wooden canal boat Mariafrom Manchester to London.

The Riqueval Tunnel 32Alan Stopher looks at how the French navigatetheir answer to Standedge Tunnel.

Letters to the Editor 34The great Standedge Tunnel debate.

Harwood’s Suez 44Another great waterway from John Harwood.

The National Cycle Network 50Ken Wright weighs up the prospects for canaltowpaths in SUSTRANS great plan.

Two Routes in One 54Ian France wanders over Standedge Moortracing the routes of old.

Editorial 4Chairman’s Report 5Minister’s Visit 19HCS Casual Wear 21Crossword - 30 39HCS Council News 40IWA News 42Photo Competition 2000 46What the Papers Say 47Anderton Lift Appeal 49Tameside Canals Festival Report 52

Cover: View of the canal works in Slaithwaite from the top ofGlobe Mills. The mobile crane is used to handle shutters,temporary sheet piles and strips of concrete. BritanniaRoad bridge is in the middle distance. Photo: Kirklees MC

HorsedrawnBoat JourneySue Day & Bonny

Ashton 2000Festival Report

Bates & CoRestorationProgress

Harwood’sSuez

World Canals17 44

25 52


EditorialEverywhere thescene is changing!There is so muchwork going on that itis virtuallyimpossible to keeppace with it. I don’tthink any of us,

involved since BMC (Before MillenniumCommission), ever envisaged such activity as isto be seen at the moment. The designengineers and contractors have really got thebit between their collective teeth andeverything seems in order. At a recent meeting(inaugural meeting, that is) of the SouthPennine Ring User Group, in Manchester,Mike Marshall of British Waterways assuredthe assembled throng that the commissioningprocedures for the whole canal - ensuring thateverything is working and acceptable to healthand safety scrutinies - will be complete by theend of April 2001. He went on to explain thesystem for operating Standedge Tunnel andhas kindly written to Pennine Link so that youcan all read it at first hand. Perhaps the systemwill not suit everybody, but my bet is thatthose critics, whilst wholly justified in statingtheir objections, will be in the minority.

At the request, nay order, of the Council weare reminding you again of the Anderton BoatLift appeal. This restoration is very importantin the national canal system. Some of you mayremember that THE WIFE and I went up (anddown) the lift many years ago when Saltersfordand Preston Brook tunnels were both closedand Premier Boats were temporarily locatedon the River Weaver. My sister lived about 50yards from the lift and we gave her her firstride up and down, as a treat. The lift wasalready very creaky and destined for closure.My sister’s story of the reason for the creaking- involving a canal rally and a very “happy”,well compensated lift operator is probablyapocryphal - who knows? Whatever thereason, seeing it restored will be a wonderfulsight. See if you can help.

Honours are being gathered in! That exampleof worldwide erudition, The SmithsonianInstitution from Washington DC, has amagazine, not surprisingly called TheSmithsonian. Glossy and very American.Well, in the June 2000 issue there is an articleentitled “Afloat with Fly Boats and Leggers”with a sub-heading “England’s canals arethriving anew as folks discover the historiccharm and simple pleasures of life on thesewaterways.” Interesting text, some superbphotographs - and several mentions of OURcanal! I am negotiating the right to reprint itin Pennine Link. Keep your eyes skinned!

I have been asked by the good people of theSaddleworth White Rose Society to publicisetheir aims and intentions. Being a native bornLancastrian domiciled in part of the old WestRiding of Yorkshire I need to be very carefulwhat I promote! Fortunately, the intentions arehonourable. The aims and objectives are toremind the world at large that Lancashire andYorkshire are two very definite areas with verydefinite boundaries and that newcomers onthe scene, like Greater Manchester Countyand Oldham District, can not alter that fact.

Since our canal lies fair and square in bothcamps I say “Yea and thrice yea” and let’sdrink to it! A joint meeting of the RealLancashire Society and the White RoseSociety could be a good excuse for a canalfestival now we don’t have to campaign forrestoration any more. I happened onto thefestivities for White Rose Day in Uppermillrecently - brass bands, Morris men anddraping white rose wreaths on memorials -and it was a lovely canalside occasion. With aboat or two it would have been even better!

Don’t forget the Photo Competition. We had asplendid entry last year and I hope we canimprove on that this year - there’s so muchmore to photograph!

I will sign off in true White Rose fashion.

Ken Wright,Bridge House, Sugar Lane, Dobcross,Saddleworth, YORKSHIRE, OL3 5NL


3 - Pennine Link - Summer 99

Chairman’s Report

Old

ham

Eve

ning

Chr

onic

le

Flying in fromholiday inGermany toManchester inAugust, ouraeroplanedescended through

the clouds over the Pennines, BugsworthBasin on the port side, more cloud, thenStalybridge. I could see a swathe ofundeveloped land appearing to bisect thetown. Perhaps not visible from space likethe Great Wall of China, a new landmarkhas appeared and perfectly visible fromthe air, as yet without water, but not forlong.

As you can read and observe in thiscurrent Issue, restoration continues onschedule and to budget. We are eightmonths away from completion and mainsections - Stalybridge and Standedge - willbe completed, though not commissioned,early in the New Year. Openingceremonies are being planned, includingan event to mark the completion of theproject to be celebrated by all, probablyat Standedge. It is likely that mini eventswill be held and organised by the threelocal authorities in each district, with HCSsupport.

I attended British Waterway’s AGM late inJuly. George Greener and David Fletchergave an impressive performance whichaugurs well for the future of ourwaterways. The Waterways Minister, LordWhitty, prefaced the meeting andanswered questions. It is clear that BW’snew confidence which is underpinningfuture plans has emanated from theexcellent working relationship with theGovernment and its Ministers.

British Waterways have generated, andwill continue to generate, income fromsuch diverse schemes as cables intowpaths. With the additional monies forthe maintenance backlog and the supportfor waterways which is evident from therecent BW consultations, they have thecourage to suggest new canals andrestoration schemes; viz. the Fens toMilton Keynes link and the Thames andSevern project.

Next year sees the completion (or nearcompletion) of many long-establishedrestoration schemes. It is right that BWnow see another phase of schemesprovided that the political and financialsupport continues. I have no doubt thatBritish Waterways now has themanagement in place to be innovative,daring and bold. We will, as a Society, bea part of the future waterways movementin partnership/alliance with BW afterrestoration.

This September, to remind ourselves ofthe restoration progress, your Council willhave walked the length of the Canal toview progress at first hand. The tunnelsection will have to wait! We shall havenoted how the Society can add value tothe once completed canal in order thatthe maximum benefits of restoration willbe unlocked. We will need morevolunteers to work alongside BW, as otherSocieties do, and help operate boats,locks and assist in the Standedge VisitorCentre. More about this and the Alliancelater.

David Sumner


Huddersfield CanalCompany ReportThe momentouschanges along thecanal over the lastfew months havecontinued to

impress residents and canal enthusiastsalike. Even those of us involved in theproject have been surprised by the paceand extent of the construction work. Noamount of looking at the drawings canprepare you for the experience of seeingthe work in reality. Although we are onlybuilding narrow canal locks, the tempo-rary works have involved major excava-tions within sheet piled cofferdams.Some of the accommodation works havealso been extensive. An example is theretaining wall at Sellers, which has beennecessary to provide space for the newgrinding shed. Once more the photo-graphs give members the best impressionof the restoration activity along the canal.

At Stalybridge the new waterfront is takingshape throughout the 800 metre restora-tion. As I write in mid August, MottramRoad has just been reopened to its fullwidth as the second phase of bridgeconstruction has been completed. Lock7W is well advanced using half of theoriginal structure and the remainder builtin reinforced concrete. The Delta sectionof canal has been complete for sometime. The new Lock 6W in Armenti€resSquare received its gates at the end of Julyand the square is being rebuilt using highquality pavings, new kerbs and embossedtarmac for the service road and new busshelters provided by the PassengerTransport Executive. The old MelbourneStreet bridge now has attractive stoneparapet walls. Lock 5W is being recon-

structed, with some of the redundantstonework from Lock 7W coming inuseful for the rebuilding of the demol-ished northern tailgate area. The concretechannel upstream of Lock 5W is virtuallycomplete and the downstream channel isalso being formed. The new Lock 4Whas been built in a very short time next tothe Texaco Service Station in Caroline St.

Scout Tunnel refurbishment is completeand the towpath has been reopened.Dredging work on the section betweenFrenches and Mann’s Wharf is still sus-pended whilst British Waterways reviewsthe options for tipping arrangements.

At High Street Bridge Uppermill, theoriginal stone bridge has been recon-structed and is now carrying traffic aswork starts on excavation on the southside of the road. Wade Lock has beenrebuilt and topped with new copings.

At Standedge Tunnel, rock stabilisation iscontinuing to make good progress with90% of rock bolts now installed. Work iscontinuing on the removal of debris fromrock falls, and repairs to emergency accessadits and shaft bases. The new arch at therock fall 850 metres from the MarsdenPortal is well on the way to completion.British Waterways have sought design andbuild tenders for a tug boat.

At Slaithwaite, work is continuing apace.The second phase of Britannia Roadbridge is nearing completion. Oncepaving across the bridge and along CarrLane is complete at around the end ofAugust, the bridge will be fully reopenedto two-way traffic and the one-waysystem will be removed. At the upstream


end, the heightened river wall is nowcomplete and the bridge units are in placefor the unadopted road which will crossthe Canal between Old Bank and theMoonraker Floating Tearoom. In thecentre of the village, the stone walls ofLock 22E have been repaired, a newpiped by-wash has been installed andstone cladding has been laid to thecompleted sections of concrete channelnearby. The reinforced concrete structureof Lock 21E has been completed besideWaterside Cottages. Downstream of PlattLane, the ground has been reduced inlevel as has some of the old Lock 21Estructure. Manholes have been installedas part of a siphon to take the CrimbleBrook under the Canal at this point. Oursis not the only construction underway incentral Slaithwaite as builders are alteringthe rear basement of the Civic Hall so thatthe Colne Valley Trust can move into itsnew canalside location.

Further down the Colne Valley, Lees MillBridge, Holme Mill Bridge, Golcar Aque-duct and Mark Bottoms Bridge have allbeen completed since my last report. Theonly work needed to allow navigation ofthe four mile stretch from LongroydBridge to the eastern end of Slaithwaite issome dredging, which is programmed byBritish Waterways for an early start.

In Huddersfield, at Sellers Engineers, Lock3E is being constructed at the upstreamend to join up with the Wickes section ofrestoration. Beside the large retainingwall mentioned earlier, the steel frame ofthe new two-storey replacement grindingshed and electrician’s shop has reachedfull height. At the nearby Bates Mill, thetunnel roof has been fully reinstated torelease all the surface back to Bates & Co.and the tunnel has been excavated overthe full length, the ‘breakthrough’ to

Queen Street South bridge taking placeon 17th July. Lock 2E upstream of Batesand its adjoining landing stage are bothwell progressed. Work will now concen-trate on construction of the sheet piledchannel downstream of Queen StreetSouth bridge.

Aside from canal restoration, the contractfor the building work to refurbish thehistoric warehouse building for theStandedge Visitor Centre has been let toWakefield contractor Lemmeleg Building& Contracting Ltd. An announcementregarding the interpretation design is alsoimminent.

Media coverage has continued to be goodand supportive. The canal magazineshave keenly chronicled each milestone onthe restoration project. British Water-ways’ press release, in conjunction withthe Department of Environment Transportand the Regions’ promotion of its “Water-ways for Tomorrow” report, singled outthe Huddersfield Narrow Canal for aspecial mention. This resulted in the BBCsending an outside broadcast presenterand film crew to Slaithwaite to film apiece for the national 6 o’clock news. Infact Slaithwaite has had its share ofexposure recently. The canal restorationproject has been photographed for theApril 2000 ‘Yorkshire Life’ edition, whichfeatured the village, and GovernmentHousing and Construction Minister NickRaynsford MP, made a flying visit in Julyspecifically to the canal restoration, withlocal MP Kali Mountford, and was mostimpressed with the work.

The partnership is still deliberating onopening events. There will be much tocelebrate in 2001 and the intention is forall the local communities to be involvedin the historic reopening of the Narrow.

Alan Stopher

8 - P

ennine Link - Autum

n 20

00

Autum

n 20

00

- Pennine Link - 9

StalybridgeTop Left: Lock 4W beside Caroline Street, Stalybridge, has been constructed to this stage inonly 6 weeks. In the centre background is the Wharf Tavern and to the right, the newly-builtfactory at Staley Wharf. (AS)Top Right: New reinforced concrete channel upstream of Lock 5W. The lock has beenrefurbished and the original arched chamber leading to the ground paddles is visible here.On the right is Somerfield’s and in the middle distance is the original canalside warehouse,now home to ‘The Lock Keeper’s Kitchen’. (AS)Upper Middle Left: Wide section of canal channel between Lock 5W and Back MelbourneStreet. This was originally the site of Portman Motors and Tetlows Engineering Works.Development proposals for the land to the left are eagerly awaited. (AS)Lower Middle Left: Restoration in progress on Melbourne Street, Stalybridge. A new stoneparapet wall is being built on both sides. Timber rubbing strips and safety chain are in placealong the new canal channel. (AS)Bottom Left: Paving under way in Armentières Square, Stalybridge. A range ofcomplementary, high quality, finishes are being laid. The service road for the buses will be tothe left of the bollards. (AS)Bottom Right: A view of Lock 7W tail construction looking towards Mottram Road bridge.The new towpath ramp will lead in front of the left hand side, just downstream of the tail.In the right foreground is the join with the old lock structure. (AS)

10

- Pennine Link - Autum

n 20

00

Autum

n 20

00

- Pennine Link - 1

1

Scout Tunnel, Division Bridge, Wade Lock,High Street, Old Sag & Wool RoadTop Left: Exposed mesh fixed to the roof of Scout Tunnel using rock bolts. This will ensurethat no small pieces of rock accidently fall on passing boaters. It is being left exposed toprovide bat roosts. (AS)Top Right: The towpath through Scout Tunnel is open once more following stabilisation work.(AS)Upper Middle Left: The completed Division Bridge Aqueduct, looking towards Tameside,showing the good quality footpath, including steps down to the river level. (AS)Upper Middle Right: New coping stones being placed to Wade Lock (21W) at High Street,Uppermill, to complete the restoration of the lock structure. (AS)Lower Middle Left: Looking like a giant jigsaw puzzle, skilled masons are rebuilding theparapet wall at High Street, Uppermill, prior to re-opening the eastbound half of the road totraffic. An old gate post has been found and set in place. (AS)Bottom Left: The completed Old Sag Aqueduct channel. Brownhills Countryside Centre is onthe right bank in the distance. (AS)Bottom Right: Wool Road bridge complete and open to traffic and pedestrians. Reclaimedstone has been used to finish off the reinforced concrete structure to good effect. (AS)

12


n 20

00

Autum

n 20

00

- Pennine Link - 1

3

SlaithwaiteTop Left: Reinforced concrete channel being constructed along Carr Lane, Slaithwaite.Access to the ‘Full Muffin’ is temporarily from Bridge Street only. (AS)Top Right: The final section of reinforced concrete canal wall being constructed at CarrLane, Slaithwaite. One way traffic and parking continue on Carr Lane. With the bulk of theheavy wall completed and a start being made on paving works, the headings have beenremoved. (AS)Upper Middle Left: Paving is already in place on the Britannia Road Bridge pavement ascanal channel works are close to completion along Carr Lane. Stone facings have been laidin the middle distance. (AS)Lower Middle Left: Temporary sheet piles have been removed and the excavation around thenew Lock 21E has been backfilled. The lock barrel is complete, although the head and tailareas are yet to be constructed. (AS)Bottom Left: The new bridge for the unadopted road off Old Bank, Slaithwaite, required theheightening of the already tall stone wall beside the river Colne. This shows the stone wallextended with a concrete string course to take safety railings. The concrete bridge units arein place and wing walls under construction. (AS)Bottom Right: High quality sett pavings are being laid beside the restored Lock 22E. (AS)

14


n 20

00

Autum

n 20

00

- Pennine Link - 1

5

Lees Mill & Holme Mill Bridges, GolcarAqueduct, Mark Bottoms Bridge & SellersTop Left: Lees Mill Bridge is complete and in use. Workmen are laying edgings to the rampdown to the towpath. (AS)Top Right: Completed Holme Mill Bridge which allows heavy vehicle access to the HolmeMill Complex. A gated access ramp to the towpath adjoins the steps. (BW)Middle Left: The completed Golcar Aqueduct. (AS)Middle Right: The completed Mark Bottoms Bridge at Stoney Battery, Paddock. (AS)Bootom Left: Excavation for the new Lock 3E at Sellers showing the boom of a smallexcavator in the bottom left. The new buildings in the background are Earnshaws Motobikes(right) and Wickes DIY (centre). (AS)Bottom Right: 6 metre high reinforced concrete retaining wall under construction to replacethe original stone wall and parking space, for the new combined Grinding/Electriciansworkshops at Sellers. The tall rig is a concrete pump line. (AS)

16


n 20

00

Autum

n 20

00

- Pennine Link - 1

7

Sellers & BatesTop Left: Major excavation for the Grinding Shop and its associated retaining wall (p16).The canal tunnel is under the access road between the buildings in the right and middledistance. (AS)Top Right: The heavy Grinding Shop machines require major foundations. This one is for theWide Blade Grinder. The footings for the building are to the right. This side has had to besupported on piles along the original canal line. The new tunnel is under the parkedarticulated lorry. (AS)Middle Left: The completed steel frame of the combined Sellers building in July.Downstairs will accommodate large Grinding Shop equipment. Upstairs will house theElectricians Workshop. Both are currently along the line of the new canal off the picture tothe right. The transfer of the working machines will be phased according to their order book,as it is vital Sellers are allowed to carry on their business while the canal is restored. (AS)Middle Right: Business as usual at the entrance to Sellers Engineers showing how theasphelted access road and car park conceal the 200m long section of the new tunnel. Thenew Grinding and Electricians Shops are being constructed between the right hand FittingShop and the church spire. (BW)Bottom Left: The landing stage under construction at the tail of new Lock 2E behind BatesMill. The building behind houses the Carding Shed. The new tunnel portal is clearly visiblealong with the narrow guage railway used to remove spoil. (AS)Bottom Right: One for the train buffs! The contractor’s narrow guage loco pushes an emptyskip into the tunnel following the small excavator to the face. (AS)

18


n 20

00

Slaithwaite

Bates & CoAbove Left: View back ‘upsteam’ from the face of the new Bates tunnel. The pipes are usedfor ventilation of the ‘confined work space’. The bare concrete piled walls are visible oneither side. (KMC)Below Left: Bates Teasing Shed and yard reinstated above the canal tunnel roof. (AS)Below Right: View along the line of the canal tunnel from inside Bates Teasing Shedbasement. This is now back in use as a storage area for wool bales. (AS)

Photo credits:AS - Alan StopherBW - British WaterwaysKMC - Kirklees Metropolitan Council


A Minister’s Visit and other thingsAs work progresses, I doless and less of thethings I came into theSociety to do originally,and I was asked at theAshton Festival why I nolonger write quarterlyrestoration round-ups.The answer is here inthis and every recent

issue. With such astounding progress towardscompletion of restoration, there are no morerestoration projects to plan, or wizardwheezes to get things done. But there stillseem to be things to do, apart from represent-ing you on the Board of the Canal Company.

Kali Mountford MP for Colne Valley arrangedfor Nick Raynsford MP, Minister of State forHousing and Planning, to see the canal inSlaithwaite on 21 July. Mike Marshall andJulie Maund represented British Waterways,John Miller and Andy Wheeler representedKirklees Council, Keith James, the Colne ValleyTrust, and I represented the HuddersfieldCanal Company, and this Society.

We walked along the new canal bed throughthe centre of Slaithwaite, and the Minister wasevidently impressed by the scale, and qualityof the work. He made a statement to thepress about the regenerative benefits ofwaterway restoration and the importance ofpartnerships in delivering such schemes. I wasimpressed by his knowledge of the scheme,and waterways restoration issues generally.

And, wearing my Chairman of NorthernCanals Association hat, I still try to help othercanal societies and trusts, particularly recently,our neighbours the Barnsley Canal Group. Ifonly Nick Raynsford could talk to BarnsleyCouncil how different their position might be.I discussed the difficulties the Group face withIan White, British Waterways RegionalDirector North East at the last Northern Canalsmeeting, when we walked the country lengthof the Derby Canal. We agreed that we can

only give limited help. The big political pushhas to be local to have credibility and achieveanything.

I have also been helping the Inland WaterwaysAssociation respond to a consultation beingcarried out by English Heritage on behalf ofthe Government on the whole topic of historicareas and built heritage. Perhaps I shouldhave known better. My original commentswere related to what seemed to be straightfor-ward issues, and what I saw as shortcomings inthe present arrangements for Listed Buildings,Conservation Areas, and Ancient Monumentsand the built heritage generally. But thesecond stage consultation documents issuedby English Heritage are very academic inapproach. It is not immediately evident howthe issues and examples raised can be relatedto the questions they ask. I toyed with theidea of suggesting that IWA should follow thevery bad tongue in the cheek advice I wasonce given in respect of an obscure grantapplication form. That was to ignore thequestions asked. To then simply give theanswers they want to give in the order thatsuits their purpose, but making sure that thekey word of each question is somehowincluded, preferably as a verb, in the appropri-ate answer! It might provide an amusing halfhour - but not a good idea with grant applica-tions, and, I assume not a good idea withGovernment consultations.

Talking of the Inland Waterways Association,their Restoration Committee held its Julymeeting at the Transhipment Warehouse.David Sumner, Frank Smith and I met themfor lunch at “The Navigation” afterwards. Wethen took the members of the Committee toStalybridge where we walked through thetown centre building site. Their reaction wasmuch like that of everyone else we show thesite to. If you don’t know what I mean look atthe photos in this issue. And if they don’tmove you, go to Stalybridge now, while workis going on, and see for yourself.

Keith Gibson


Volunteers NeededAs the end of restoration is now in sight,the Society intends to continue taking anactive role in the future maintenance anddevelopment of the Huddersfield Narrow.

To this end, the Society will shortly sign upto a unique partnership with BritishWaterways (BW) in the form of anAlliance Charter. The terms set down inthe Charter will enable Society volunteersto undertake a variety of canal-relatedactivities, in return for which BW willjointly fund a Volunteer Coordinator’spost.

It could be said that, in theory, thereshould not be much to do postrestoration, especially when BW areobliged to maintain the Canal to cruisingstandard. However, members arereminded that although the final €30mrestoration phase is removing theremaining obstructions to completethrough navigation between Ashton andHuddersfield, this is not the end of thestory. The grants for this programme ofworks, including much of the previousrestoration work, did not extend to theprovision of general canal furniture, eg.mooring rings, signs and various otherboating facilities.

Obviously, with the Society having anactive interest in the Canal’s future anddevelopment potential, the HCS/BWAlliance Charter is one way Societyvolunteers can continue to take on anactive role, as well as assisting BW inenhancing the work already undertaken.

It is anticipated that the Society will needmany more active volunteers than it hasat the moment, therefore, recruitment ofnew volunteers is seen as a No 1 priority.

As it will take time to process and trainnew volunteers, especially in areas whereHCS has not previously worked, it maytake longer than usual to feed newvolunteers into the system.

Every member will receive a smallbrochure highlighting the variousopportunities and vacancies HCS isendeavouring to fill. In addition to newvolunteer applications, existing activevolunteers are also requested to completethe form so as to maintain continuity andreafirm availability.

It goes without saying that the majority ofHCS activities will be mainly betweenAshton and Huddersfield, with a smallconcentration at the Standedge Tunnel.The Society appreciates that, for somemembers, distance may be a limitingfactor and should be borne in mind whenconsidering applying, especially whencertain jobs will be on a regular basis.

With a new volunteer bureau, it is hopedthat the Society, along with other similarorganisations, will make the HuddersfieldNarrow one of the most attractive canalsin the country.

Frank Smith


HCS Casual WearLast year the Society commenced scaling

down its sales operation as part of the firststage of restructuring HCS for the new

Millennium and the completion ofrestoration works. One unfortunate side

effect of this action was a delay in re-ordering sweatshirts and T-shirts, bearing

the Society’s logo, for members topurchase.

We have now addressed this issueand are now pleased to be in

a position to be able tooffer sweatshirts, T-shirts

and golf shirts tomembers at what webelieve is an afford-

able price.

Not everyoneappreciates that the

existing HCS logorepresents the

Standedge Tunnelportal. To make thepoint more obvious,HCS Council has approved a new motif

for use on casual wear. It is not intendedto replace the official logo, which will

continue to be used elsewhere.

As on previous garments, the Society’slogo will be screen printed in white onRoyal Blue shirts, however, this time wewill also be able to offer (for a few poundsmore) the option of an embroidered logo.In addition, and again for a very smallcharge, on embroidered shirts only,members may also wish to take theopportunity of having a name, eg. name

of your boat, inserted below the logo.

To speed up delivery times,your order will be dis-

patched directly to youfrom the supplier. Anorder form is includedwith this issue ofPennine Link.Additional orderforms are availablefrom the HCS office.

The Society hopesthat as many mem-

bers as possible willtake this opportunity

to show their support and help promoteHCS by wearing our bespoke casual wear.

Frank Smith

LADY CAROLINE


Waterways for TomorrowRestoration Chairman, Keith Gibson, giveshis views on the Government’s WhitePaper ‘Waterways for Tomorrow’.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescottlaunched the Government’s long awaiteddaughter White Paper on the inlandwaterways (“Waterways for Tomorrow”)on 27 June. This follows the White Paper“A New Deal for Transport; Better forEveryone” and sets out proposals for thefuture of the inland waterways.

It includes the Government’s response toBritish Waterways consultation on asuggested membership scheme, and onthe proposed Waterway Trust - a majornational charity able to seek funds for, andinvest in, the waterways. And it placesimportance on the Inland WaterwaysAmenity Advisory Council’s (IWAAC)report “Britain’s Inland Waterways: AnUndervalued Asset.” Produced in 1996,we might have thought that was forgotten- but the wheels of government turnslowly, and the main thrust of that report,that “. . . . the waterways are a majornational asset which must be conservedand developed in a sustainable way forfuture generations . . . . “ is accepted.Indeed, it is central to the White Paper.

Although no new legislation is expected tofollow, this is the most significantgovernment policy paper for thewaterways for many years. It is the firststatement of national policy since BarbaraCastle’s 1968 Transport Act which createdBritish Waterways (although perhaps notrecognisable as the current animal), andgave us Remainder Waterways etc.

There are few surprises in the document -most of its statements having beingtrailed, or consulted on before. But that is

no bad thing. We have had a chance tohave our say. And in many ways it is notwhat is said (important though that is), butthe upbeat language and the beating ofthe drum for the waterways that is thekey.

For years we have seen too many publicbodies fail to recognise the importance ofwaterways, or adopt completelyunjustified attitudes. For instance, thePocklington Canal Amenity Society, acompetent and well organised restorationsociety with a small scale project entirelyappropriate to what will always be a quietrural waterway away from the mainnetwork, made little progress for yearsbecause of objections from English Naturethat could only have been worthconsidering in the unlikely event of thecanal attracting the sort of boat numbersfound on a busy Midlands Canal. And wehave seen the unnecessary problems andcosts created in the restoration of theLichfield and Hatherton Canals by theshort sighted decision to build a newmotorway crossing without the provisionof navigable culverts. Or worthwhilerestoration projects, such as the nearbyBarnsley Canal, stymied by localauthorities who have been unable orunwilling to see beyond their ownboundaries, and, despite all the evidenceelsewhere, still do not understand thatwaterways can be engines forregeneration. As a government policydocument, the White Paper can behugely influential in improving theawareness of and perception of thewaterways. It must be given weight bylocal authorities, by the RegionalDevelopment Agencies, by EnglishNature, and by the Highways Agency. Itis too early to say that problems caused


essentially by a lack of awareness bypublic bodies, or a total misconception ofthe multi-faceted nature of waterways,will go away overnight, but the WhitePaper gives hope, and ammunition to thewaterways movement. And the WhitePaper has been well publicised. Even“The Planner”, the weekly journaldelivered to all qualified planning officers,has included an editorial column on themassive opportunities offered by thewaterways.

The White Paper acknowledges theachievements and potential of waterwayrestoration. At the launch, John Prescottsaid: “Our inland waterways are one ofour most important national assets.We value them not only for their heritage,but because they improve the quality ofthe environment and people’s lives.By revitalising the waterways, we candeliver real benefits to the environment, tolocal communities and to businesses.”

To summarise the document could fill thisentire issue of “Pennine Link”, but certainkey points are worth noting:

* The Government sees a positive anddeveloping role for AINA (the Associationof Inland Navigation Authorities) as arepresentative body for BW, theEnvironment Agency, the Broads Authorityand the other smaller navigationauthorities, and for IWAAC as an advisoryresource for the waterways generally.They look to BW and the EnvironmentAgency to implement a CollaborationAgreement quickly, and will review theEnvironment Agency’s navigationresponsibilities as part of a review of theAgency planned for later this year.

* The Government wants to encouragepeople to make use of inland waterwaysfor leisure and recreation, tourism andsport.

* The Government supports theprotection, conservation andenhancement of the waterways heritageand their built and natural environment.

* The Government wants to encourageimprovement, development andrestoration of the waterways network inpartnership between the public, privateand voluntary sectors, and looks to theRegional development Agencies to takeaccount of waterways in their strategies,and support proposals for improvement,development and restoration.

* The Government’s Design Manual forRoads and Bridges that deals with newroad proposals will be amended toinclude guidance on the importance ofwaterway restoration projects.

* Noting that there has been conflictbetween navigation and environmentalobjectives when canals are being restored,the Government acknowledges that amoderate amount of boat traffic isgenerally helpful in sustaining biodiversity,and expects the different parties to workconstructively to resolve these difficulties.Guidance is to be issued on thenotification and management of Sites ofSpecial Scientific Interest (SSSI’s), andEnglish Nature are to consult the InlandWaterways Association before designatingnew SSSI’s.

* The Government wishes to encouragethe transfer of freight to waterways wherepractical, and will sponsor a study groupto include representatives of BW andother navigation authorities, commercialoperators, user groups etc.

* The Government will support thedevelopment of the inland waterwaysthrough the planning system, and willinvite IWAAC to prepare a good practicedocument explaining the contribution of


Tameside Festival 1999

inland waterways to regeneration, andhighlighting examples of good planning.Significantly this will be published by theDepartment of Environment, Transportand the Regions.

Not surprisingly, there will be nomembership scheme for BritishWaterways (too few benefits to attractmembers, and potentially competing withthe voluntary sector), but the WaterwaysTrust idea is accepted as an importantmeans of funding and facilitatingwaterways heritage projects. It is nosurprise that British Waterways’ existingWaterway Trust is to be the vehicle forthis, but it is intended to become aseparate and accountable body withTrustees reflecting its interest in all of thewaterways. (And the Trust its off to agood start with the announcement that itis to follow up its involvement in therestoration of the Rochdale Canal and theAnderton Lift, together with the creationof the Ribble Link, by co-ordinating theapproach to restoration of the CotswoldCanals and the Northern Reaches of theLancaster!)

The Government proposes to organise anational conference to discuss the WhitePaper and its implementation, but beforethat, it is inviting comments.

There are things I would like to have seenincluded - perhaps a specific grantsscheme for waterways, or help for thosevoluntary bodies that are desperatelyshort of start-up funds or expertise. And Iwould have liked a stronger, more specificinstruction that local authorities must looktowards full restoration of waterways. ButI did not expect any of these, and I haveto say its the best we have seen yet fromany Government, of whatever politicalcomplexion. The clear official recognitionof what the waterways movement has

been saying for years is an outstandingachievement.

Copies of the White paper can beobtained (free) by telephoning theDepartment of Environment, Transportand the Regions on 0870 1226 236. Andcomments can be made to:

Richard BradleyInland Waterways Branch (IWB)Department of the Environment,Transport and the Regions5/D9 Ashdown House123 Victoria StreetLondonSW1E 6DE

And don’t think that anything you say willbe ignored. Richard has been involved inadvising government for considerablymore years than he would care for me toreveal. I have always found him to besensible, pragmatic, and willing to listen.

Keith Gibson


The Millennium Horsedrawn CanalboatThe Millennium Horsedrawn CanalboatThe Millennium Horsedrawn CanalboatThe Millennium Horsedrawn CanalboatThe Millennium Horsedrawn CanalboatJourney - Manchester to LondonJourney - Manchester to LondonJourney - Manchester to LondonJourney - Manchester to LondonJourney - Manchester to LondonA special project has recently taken place tocelebrate the Millennium. Horsedrawnnarrowboats were the regular means ofpropulsion at one time but now they are ararity. Modern boats create many hazardsfor horseboats with their long tow-ropes andit was a great challenge to consider getting ahorseboat from Manchester to London, adistance of over 200 miles.

“Maria” did it. She is Britain’s oldestsurviving narrowboat and is still in usecarrying. A wooden horseboat, she wasoriginally built in 1854 and last re-timberedin 1977 by the Ashton Packet Boat Co. Ltd.,retaining the original metalwork. She nowoperates as a passenger carrier on publicand charter trips. She is 70 feet long, 7 feetwide, weighs about 12 tons and carries a 25ton cargo or 50 passengers.

The purpose of the journey was several-fold:-

1. To attend the National Waterways Festivalin August.

2. To raise money for cancer charities (90%)and The Wooden Canal Boat Society (10%see Plink No.130).

3. To introduce people to the joys andproblems of horseboating.

4. To offer a tribute to David LawrenceBrown, the husband of Maria’s “driver” SueDay. David died of cancer in 1998 and wasChairman of Ashton Packet Boat Co. Ltd.,who have kindly lent “Maria” for the journey.

There were no fare paying passengers onthe trip. Instead, anyone joining for a ride,or to help, was asked to make a donation tothe cause.

It’s not too late to help. Anyone can make acontribution. Cheques should be madepayable to Willow Wood Hospice (canalboat fund) and sent to Sue Day, 12Oakwood View, Lower Beestow, Mossley,Lancs. OL5 9QL.

For any further enquiries about “Maria”,phone: 07711 121056 or 01457 834863.Website: www.horseboat.com

Right: Sue Day leading Bonny on the Grand Union Canal.Below: Ashton Packet Boat ‘Maria’ leaves from aboveSeabrook Top Lock 36 on the GUC.Photos: John Sully

The Stamford Group are delighted to beassociated with the Huddersfield Canal

Society and wish them continued success

TOP LOQ{ -M.D. &A.M. Allcard

Hire fro~t'EW1CH NARROWBO.ft! ~ ... for maximum choicel ;.p

• 5 Routes -Cheshire Ring, 4 Counties Ring, Caldon, Uangollen and Chester • Comfortable traditional, semi-lraditional and cruiser style boats • 4-12 berth, family or group • Economy, standard or luxury

Send for brochure CANAL TERRACE, MIDDLEWICH, CHESHIRE,

CW10 9BD. TEL: 01606 832460

THE FOUR SEASONS RESTAURANT BOAT Enjoy a cruise on board our traditionally styled narrow boat as we serve you with our home cooked meals.

SUMMER SPRITE Have a day out on our self-steer day boat, fully equipped with galley and toilet. Boat handling instruction given.

Top Lock House, 5 Lime Kiln Lane, Marple, Stockport, SK6 6BX Tel: 0161 427 5712 Email: [email protected] Website: www.toplockmarine.co.uk

GUESTHOUSE FOREST FARM BUNK HOUSE

300 year old fannhouse accommodation in the heart of the Pennines (Last of the Summer Wine Country). Family, double or twinned rooms available. B & B I Evening Meal.

Provides accommodation for up to 19 people all year round.

Meals or self catering plus usual short stay facilities for walkers.

Pennine Way close by.

Further de\8Jis contact- May & Ted Fussey Tel: 01484 842687 Mount Road, Marsden, Hudders11eld, W. Yorkshire, HD7 6NN

Bed & Breakfast in 14 bedrooms (all with en-suite facilities) Camping •••• All at very reasonable rates

Contact: Jean Mayall, Globe Farm, Huddersfield Road, Delph, Nr. Oldham For details, Telephone: 01457 873040 • Member H.C.S.

Meals available

Restoration Progress - Autumn 2000

A. Stopher

fl> Stalybridge Town Centre 'Excavation of old canal line with new locks and brldgea' Woit In progrus • completion February 2001

ltD Old Sag Aqueduct 'Structural repairs' Wott completed May 2000

ID Scout Tunnel 7ntema/ repaits' Worlr completed May 2000

m Wool Road Bridge & Lock 24W 'New navipble culvert and repa;,.. to lock' Worlr completed May 2000

(0 Division Bridge Aqueduct 'structural repairs' Wott completed May 2000

@ Mann's Wharf to Frenches 'Dradging' Worlr suspended, due to restart September 2000

@ Frenches to High Street 'DrBdging' Wotk suspended, due to restart September 2000

(D Lock 21W to Wool Road 'Dredging lnd lode repl/ra'

® Lock 32W to Ward Lane 'Dradging' 3rd Quarter 2000 to 4th Quarter 2000

Worlr completed July 1999 \ -

CD High Street Bridge & Wade Lock-~.~-~~ _ /~ 'New navipble culvert and tepairs to lock' -~[..,

0 2

Worlr In PIOfiiUS ·completion Decembfll' 2000 , & ( :::-.=•~~T~N-<~ndor-LYNE i!J ····.,,, Approximate scale of km

Alhtonc.nal ~ _/ r'!'1~· · . ~ -~ MOSSLEY

~: . _. .··· • .·· MM ~ TAMESIDE MB DUKINFIELD ()~ · .

\' G-a·, Peak Forest U STAI..YBRI)GE

Canal

3

@ Water Supply Works 'Improvements to canal feeders' 3rd Quarter 2000 to 4th Qualter 2000

0 Standedge Visitor Centre 'VIsltorlflerlt Centnt' Wott In PIUQ"" - completion April2001

KIRKLEESMC

'Replacement bridge' Wott completed July 2000

0 Holme Mill Bridge 'Replacement IJridtle' Wtri' completed July 2000

0 Golcar Aqueduct 'Sttuctu111 repaitS' Worlr completed July 2000

0 Mark Bottoms Bridge 'New brldne' W1tt Cl ~(IJ' 1y 2000

0 Sellers & Co 'Naw section of canal through mill pnl' Wott In PIOQ""- completion April2001

0 Bates&Co 'Ha'ligablt culvwt under building' Worlr In,....- completion April 2001

Health & Hygiene Certificate and Heartbeat Award

BED & BREAKFAST at NEWBARN A warm welcome awaits tourists & business people from a local couple at this modern farmhouse on a working sheep farm. Lovely views over the village and just 5 minutes from Standedge Tunnel. Parking for any size of vehicle. Caravan & camping by prior arrangement. OS Pathfinder Map 714 (GR 010090).

Newbarn, Harrop Green, Diggle, Saddleworth, OL3 5LW. Tel: 01457 873937 or 07979 598232

Canal Cruises 'PENNINE MOONRAKER'

Why not join us for a while on a relaxing canal boat trip in Saddleworth?

Contact: J. Lund 7 Alva Road, Watersheddings, OLDHAM, OL4 2NS. Tel: 0161 652 6331

Labels and nameplates in plastic and metal Clear domed badges Dials, fascia and control panels

Full colour photo ID cards and badges for company and store Etched and engraved signs and plaques in brass and steel

Safety signs Precision screenprinting service Desk plates Door plates Mimic diagrams

~ -w~ mockridge

Tel: 0161-308 2331 Fax: 0161-343 1958

Mockridge Labels and Nameplates Ltd Cavendish Street Ashton-under-Lyne OL6 7QL

Shire Cruisers So. All these years, as people asked why we didn't run wide-beam boats, we've been replying 'we have to be ready for the Huddersfield Narrow'. They thought we were joking, but we weren't - any more than you were. As we get ready for our customers to be delighted by your canal, we congratulate HCS for the drive which enabled it so triumphantly to achieve its vision, a superb example for the whole country to admire.

YORKSHIRE'S LEADING HIRE FLEET

Exciting, Educational and Free! Tue- Sun & Bank Holidays 1 Oam-Spm Portland Place, Ashton-u-Lyne, OL7 OQA Tel: 0161 343 2878

The Wharf Sowerby Bridge West Yorkshire

HX62AG Tel: 01422 832712 Fax: 01422 839565

Email: [email protected] Website: www.shirecruisers.co.uk


The Riqueval TunnelProject Director, Alan Stopher, takes theopportunity of a family holiday to see howthe French tackle transiting their‘Standedge Tunnel’.

As we all know the Standedge Tunnel isthe ‘longest highest and deepest canaltunnel in the UK’, but where are therelonger canal tunnels and how are theyoperated? In an attempt to find out more,the last full day of my summer holidaywas a busman’s one as I dragged thefamily around various canal sites innorthern France and Belgium. Of thestructures I visited that day, the one whichhas the most in common with the HNC isthe canal tunnel at Riqueval, just north ofSaint Quentin in Northern France, whichis 5.6 km in length. Although slightlylonger than our 5.2km long Standedge itcrosses rolling farmland, a landscapewhich is not nearly as impressive as ourown Pennines.

Visiting on a Sunday morning meant thatthere was little sign of activity and thesmall ‘Museum of Towing’ was not yetopen for visitors. I have since gleaned

some information from the world wideweb and doubtless some members willknow much more about Standedge’scontinental relative.

Riqueval is not the longest canal tunnel inFrance. If my information is correct, thishonour goes to the Souterrain de Rovenear Marseilles which is 7.3 km longalthough now closed because of acollapse. Riqueval was opened byNapoleon Bonaparte in 1810 just oneyear before Standedge. It is relativelybroad by UK standards and has notowpath, so presumably legging was thenormal method of propulsion in thenineteenth century. For much of thetwentieth century propulsion has been byan overhead electric tug pulling on asubmerged chain and although I did not

Below: Southern portal of the 5.6km long Riqueval Tunnel.Hidden in the trees above is the ‘Museum of Towing’. Theelectric catenary is clearly visible. The main road N44 runsparallel to the canal a short distance to the right.Right: Close up of the tunnel portal showing concretestructures presumably placed to form a lead in for towing;timber rubbing strips are fixed to both sides.


see any activity on my visit, it is apparentthat convoys of boats are still towed in thisfashion. The Voies Navigables de France(French equivalent of British Waterways)website indicates that the charge fortowing a ‘pleasure boat’ over 12 metreslong is 152ff (around €15). Charges arealso quoted for shorter ‘pleasure boats’and loaded and unloaded freight boats.Towing through takes two hours andworks at fixed times every day in onedirection only, suggesting only one tug isused. The photographs are all taken atthe southern end of the tunnel near theMus€e de Touage.

The canal at Riqueval has another claimto fame as it coincided with the

Left: Taken from a French website, (Musee du Touage), this isthe only image I could find of a tug in use.

Hindenburg line in 1918, a stronglyfortified front defended by the Germans.It made the news on 29th September1918 when a company of the NorthStaffordshire Regiment captured Riquevalbridge, the last one intact over the StQuentin canal. This was a key moment inthe offensive to drive back the Germanforces which ended with the victoriousfinal offensive and the armistice on 11th

November 1918.

Does anyone know of other worldcontenders for the longest canal tunnel oris Standedge going to be the secondlongest operational canal tunnel in theworld?

Alan Stopher

Below: Electric towing tug moored out of use and showingsigns of dereliction. The towing chain would pass over thepulleys and round a drum in the centre of the boat. Thebuildings on the left, house an electricity sub-station. Thedeep cutting on the southern approach is around 2km long.


Letters to the Editor - FeatureSTSTSTSTSTANDEDGE TUNNELANDEDGE TUNNELANDEDGE TUNNELANDEDGE TUNNELANDEDGE TUNNEL

THE END OF THE SAGA?

Three letters this time and all prettyforceful in their own way. They are allvery relevant in that they relate toStandedge Tunnel so I have decided tocombine them into a feature article.Fortunately, I don’t have to reply. BritishWaterways are well on the way to solvingthe problems at the tunnel and their MikeMarshall has replied to the letters andexplained the latest thoughts on the tunneloperation. Hopefully I would like to usethe editor’s “This correspondence is nowclosed” following Mike’s explanation but,somehow, I don’t think I will get away withit!

Ken Wright

Here are the first two letters which arecritical of the method of operation of thetunnel, as known about so far.

Dear Sir,

In the wake of the Hiltons’ letter in lastmonth’s issue, I should like to add my twopenn’orth. I too was dismayed to hearthat the ‘nanny state’ had decided thatafter restoration we boaters would not becapable of negotiating the longest canaltunnel in Britain. The idea of having to betowed in a daisy chain, all sitting in a tugbeing fed propaganda for 2€ hours seemsappalling. It is, however, perhaps betterthan nothing, which is what the Hiltonsare suggesting for themselves. However,there are a number of points which Iwould like you to clear up if you can.

Firstly, why 2€ hours for individual boats?I have negotiated many tunnels in the

canal system and usually reckon that 2€to 3mph is a manageable safe speed. Thiswould put travel time at about 1€ hours.(In fact, my worst experience in a tunnelwas being behind another boat which wasgoing so slowly that even on tickover Iwas catching up! This necessitateddisengaging drive every so often, thuslosing 80% of manoeuvrability and driftingoff into one side or the other while thesafe gap between us was restored!)

Secondly, how come in this tunnel, whichwas presumably hewn for the purpose,are the sides and roof so far away as to beout of sight! Did the navvies come acrossnatural caves in the hill as they dugthrough or did they just get a bit carriedaway?

Thirdly, surely the shafts between therailway line and the canal tunnel could beclosed to access by unauthorised peopleby barred gates. This would still allow freeflow of air between the tunnels, thushelping to extract fumes, but not posing adanger to boat crews who decided to stopand investigate the adjoining tunnel (asyou do, of course!).

Fourthly, (I really haven’t done my home-work here so please bear with me) - ifthere is no towpath so boats could not behorse-towed, the roof and side are out ofsight, so boats could not be ‘legged’, andit takes so long to get through with adiesel engine that everyone is going to beasphyxiated, how the H… did they usethe tunnel when it was first built?

I love the Huddersfield Canal and havesupported it in thought, word and deed (ifmostly in monetary deed). My partnerand I regularly drive down to investigate


the restoration progress and look forwardwith anticipation to the opening, but thetunnel is a real letdown!

Yours faithfully,

Alex Sisson, Harrogate.

(Far too many questions to answer indepth - perhaps they will answer them-selves in time. The point about tunnelwidths can be sorted out, though. Thelengths of the tunnel in unsupported rockare far from a regular tunnel shape. Theprimitive blasting techniques used by thebuilders meant that explosives took thepath of least resistance and blew downvarying amounts of rock as tunnelingprogressed. Furthermore there are several“wides” where the tunnel was deliberatelywidened to allow boats to pass in oppositedirections - these were the cause of manysubterranean clashes between boaters!Presumably “legging” gave way to “poling”over these lengths. Ed.)

Dear Editor,

As far as I can establish, navigation of thetunnel is still proposed as a tug pulling upto 8 boats. As an HCS boating memberhoping to make the passage one daysoon, I am concerned that this systemappears to be still current.

I have no desire to have my unmannedboat towed in a procession, banging fromone side of the tunnel to the other,especially as a ‘tail end Charlie’ where themost movement of all is likely to beexperienced.

Maybe I am overlooking some fundamen-tal point, but what is wrong with a morenormal, already proven approach? Viz:-

1. Standedge is approximately twice thelength of Harecastle tunnel.

2. Place extraction fans in the centre ofthe tunnel (old construction shaft?). Thisin effect now makes it like twoHarecastles.

3. Have ‘Harecastle doors’ at BOTH ends.As up to 8 boats enter at one end, thedoor is left open, the door at the otherend remaining shut. If the passage time is(say) 2 hours, then after an hour, the doorat the far end is opened and the entrancedoor closed, which then equates, in termsof air flow, to the current, successfulHarecastle system.

4. I have heard that one reason for theproposed system is the prevention ofaccess to the railway tunnel(s). Thesecould be bricked up and, if needed, haveincluded, emergency doors. This worry rerailway access seems strange anyway asthe railways are even more accessiblefrom the tunnel ends or outside thetunnel, all over the country.

5. Maintenance costs must be readilyavailable, the same as Harecastle tunnelcosts plus maintenance or a second door.

6. The costs of the above must be setagainst the cost of buying, maintainingand manning a tug system.

7. The costs of a tug and batteries is anestimate at best. (Would batteries beduplicated, one set in use the other oncharge?) What happens for example if thetug is at one end and there are boats atthe other, is it to travel ‘light’ through thetunnel? It could be that the majority oftraffic tends to be one way.

8. How are the boats to be coupled?There are so many variations on heightand curve of the bows, there are curvedand square sterns at different heights.Both ends display a wide range of fenders,


both in material of manufacture andshape. The safe coupling of ALL thepossible combinations to prevent ‘whip-ping’ is mind boggling, if not impossible.When boats emerge with damagedpaintwork, or worse, who is responsible?Who pays for reinstatement?

Unless I am missing some basic criteria,the existing proven Harecastle systemappears a more realistic method than theproposal I believe to be current.

As a long-standing canal boater andmember of HCS, I am very much lookingforward to the re-opening of the Hud-dersfield Narrow and look forward to yourcomments with something of an investedinterest.

Yours sincerely,

L.A. Wood, Romiley, Stockport.

British Waterway’s Deputy ProjectManager, Mike Marshall, replies:

OPERATION OF STANEDEGE TUNNEL

Thank you for giving me the opportunityto respond to the concerns raised by yourmembers regarding the proposed methodof operation of the Standedge Tunnel.

Firstly, can I say that the proposal is theoutcome of much consideration,discussion and debate both within BritishWaterways and externally withconsultants, statutory bodies andRailtrack. This was followed by a periodof consultation with local user grouprepresentatives to explain our proposalsand the reason why we had chosen thepreferred option.

A ventilation study carried out by OveArup and Partners in 1993 concluded thatthe present ventilation system within thetunnel is very poor and insufficient toallow the use of petrol or diesel engines.

Options for forced ventilation wereconsidered by Ove Arup but concludednot to be feasible, due to cost, excessivenoise and the required air velocity.

British Waterways set up a working groupthree years ago, to consider the otionsavailable for operation that would ensuresafe passage. It was concluded that atowed convoy utilising electric tugs wasthe most feasible option. This wouldreduce and eliminate most of thepotential hazards and provide anacceptable way of dealing with anemergency situation if it were to arise.

I accept that there are serious concernsabout allowing our customers’ ‘pride andjoy’ to be towed at the mercy of a BritishWaterways’ tunnel skipper. However, Ican assure you that we will be training ourstaff to the highest standards and testingthe operation rigorously before we allowthe tunnel to be opened in May next year.

Standedge Tunnel has a complexarrangement of interconnections withboth the live and disused rail tunnelsalong its 5.2km length, making it a uniquechallenge in providing a safe journey. Webelieve that our solution provides safepassage for all our customers to enjoy andwe hope that once experienced willprovide an everlasting memory of thewonders of Standedge.

Yours faithfully,

Mike MarshallDeputy Project Manager

(What Mike hasn’t told us is the proposedway of coping with boats of variousshapes. However, a little bird who was atthe July User Group meeting tells me thatBW currently propose to provide inflatablepolypropylene bags which will fill thespace between the boats and protect them


from abrasion. The rear boat of the trainwill carry a “false stern”, - a reversed“Jebus” to them what knows! - to shield itfrom the effects of flapping about. Trainsare likely to be limited to 250 feet inlength. Ed.)

And, somewhat by way of contrast, whatyou might almost call the counter argu-ment from a member in Bedfordshire, plusa lot of very nice things about HCS.

Dear Editor,

Sorry if this is a bit long winded.

Although spending the whole of myformative years in Saddleworth until I leftfor university in 1982 I am new to mem-bership of the Society. I had always takenan interest in the canal after my familyhad moved to Diggle in the early 1970s.At that time the locks were in process ofbeing infilled and cascaded and allseemed lost for the navigation, save for acollection of wildly optimistic individualswho called themselves the HuddersfieldCanal Society. I well remember visiting astand at Diggle fete sometime in the mid70s and purchasing a pamphlet on thefuture of the canal. Glancing down the listof work required the phrases ‘new bridgerequired’ and ‘new section of canalneeded’ were liberally sprinkled through-out. I was no civil engineer then (indeedI’m not now) but it hardly needed Tho-mas Telford to work out that the scale andexpense of the work involved was vast.The Society’s chief source of income inthose days appeared to consist of sellingsmall stuffed furry creatures called‘Diggles’ which were supposed to inhabitthe western end of the Standedge tunnel.The casual observer, indeed the profes-sional observer, needless to say had nodifficulty in concluding that this was abunch of hopeless dreamers with eyes full

of moon. These were people who en-joyed rustling up a soft toy and perhapsmaking a little marmalade. Harmlessenough.

History will of course record how verywrong we were. One has only to take thetime to visit Stalybridge as I did last week.I won’t wax on about this, your readershave probably seen it for themselves,other than to say that the scale andmagnificence of the work here is breath-taking. More than that it is a credit tothose who have worked so hard over theyears against what must have seemedimpossible odds. €30 million is a lot ofstuffed toys. I know that some of you willresent us Johnny-come-latelys, but if Irepent my cynicism will you forgive me?

On a more prosaic note I’d like to ask acouple of those sorts of questions thatnewcomers always ask.

Firstly, when I have visited the canal latelyI have observed that it is practise to keepthe water level in the lock chambers atthe level of the lower pound. From asafety point of view, is this a good idea? IfI was to fall into a lock I would rate mychances of survival as much greater if itwas full of water and I could scramble tothe edge, rather than falling some feetwhere there must be a real danger ofhitting the bottom, being knocked uncon-scious and consequently drowning. Thetragedy of this happening to a child wouldbe terrible enough not to mention theadverse publicity for the project. (Couldn’tagree more - also the fact that empty locksallow bottom gates to dry out and leak.Policies seem to vary on different stretchesof canal, though. Of course, when thecanal is working, locks will be left full orempty, depending on which direction thelast boat through was travelling. Ed.)


Secondly I believe that I am correct inthinking that some 50 or so men werekilled in construction of the canal - mostlyin the completion of Standedge tunnel. Iwondered if any thought has been givento erecting some sort of memorial, say aplaque at the tunnel mouth, to theselargely forgotten individuals? (Yes it has -probably as one of the “percent for art”schemes. Any sponsors? Ed.)

Lastly an observation on Mr. & Mrs.Hilton’s letter in the summer edition ofPlink regarding navigation through thetunnel. As a youth, at a time when I hadless sense than I hope I do now, I walkedthrough one of the disused Standedgerailways tunnels which in those days hadno gates to protect their entrance. Thedarkness inside the tunnel was oppressiveand very disorientating. Although as Irecall one end of the tunnel is alwaysvisible, this represented the tiniest pin-prick of light and offered no practicalillumination at all. It is a well worn clich€but even though me and my companionscarried torches it was literally impossibleto see our hands in front of our faces.

Despite the high ceiling the tunnel wasthick with diesel fumes from the workingrailway tunnel and the experience was sohorrendous that, despite being exhaustedfrom stumbling over three miles in totaldarkness, we chose to make the returntrip from Marsden overland, despite thisbeing a much longer and more strenuousroute. When I finally get to make thejourney by boat in the even more claus-trophobic environment of the canaltunnel I will be grateful for the opportu-nity to let somebody else do the steering.

Lastly I’d just like to say that had it notbeen for Martin Clarke’s excellent Pen-nine Waterways website I would neverhave caught up with the canal again (Inow live in Bedfordshire). If anyone hasn’tlooked at this yet - do so! It’s worthbuying a computer for alone.

Well done HCS I salute you - here’s to thenext 200 years!!

M. Kerfoot.

(P.S. You may not need reminding but thewebsite address iswww.penninewaterways.co.uk)


A boater’s dream or claustrophobe’s nightmare?


Crossword - 30

ACROSS

6 Menswear sold on the river in abrewery town (6,2,5).

8 Tom Rolt’s boat named after a famous Frenchbattle we hear (6).

9 Nine pens found above Standedge (8).10 The ship’s cat’s place of repose? (3).

11 The dome which should be seen at the startof a hire boat holiday (4).

12 Sound of the steerer when given a largemug of Typhoo? (3).

13 Amphibians found in the left side bank of thecanal (4).14 Connections with burnt coal and a shallowcrossing found on the A6 north of Bakewell (7).

15 Place of employment for a barman andcaretaker on an aqueduct above theNew Main line (7).

19 Food for the steerer, a screw holding the propon and a larval insect (4).

21 Seen a lot by 21 down (3).

22 Diet of Worms foundbelow this line (4).

23 A negative French balletstep (3).24 Australian state capitalfound in a dock on theGrand Union? (8).

25 Former ‘Green’ type of K& A lock (6).

26 Where long electric fishmay display their lights onthe Basingstoke canal? (7-5).

DOWN

1 What the quality gentshairdresser will give you afterfinishing (8).

2 Moody Rob takingcomfort in the Dog &Doublet at the bottom ofCurdworth locks (8).

3 A roofless tunnel Fennyfound here on the Oxford(7).4 Chants at the site of a

temporary dam (6).

5 Second city to Birmingham formiles of canal? (6).

6 Apt place for a dog to cross the canal belowFarmers Bridge locks? (7,6).

7 River crossing noted for cricket? (5,6).16 Hint given to employees by a sheriff’s officer (8).

17 Wat weary horse plodding beside this (8).

18 A camper seen by a former loop of the OldMain Line (4,3).

20 How Captain Kirk went withhis split infinitive (6).21 This character spends most ofhis time at 21A (6).

Solution at the foot of page 55


HCS Council NewsReading through this item in Plink 133, tosee where we are now up to, I findprecious little change. We are still waitingto sign agreements, we are still waiting forsomeone to recognise a potential trafficmanagement problem in Marsden, we arestill tying up loose ends with HCS(R) Ltdand we are still entering ourselves fornational competitions with Pennine Link!

This doesn’t mean that nothing hashappened for three months, just thatsome things take longer than others. Andthe meetings! We have had meetings tosort out matters for more meetings. Andall the talking has borne fruit in that wehave now made DECISIONS!

Two Council meetings have taken place,the first dating back to 24th May. I man-aged a quick addendum to the lastCouncil report to tell you about thedonation to Mikron Theatre. Here’s therest from that meeting.

Trevor Ellis shares the concern of many ofus that there is a serious backlog on“secondary maintenance” i.e. putting intoworking order the lengths already restoredyears ago. A lot of this is dredging,unbunging seized-up locks and repairingtowpaths.

On the financial side our investmentscontinue to do well and we have just over€400k in various accounts, even after ourcommitments are met. The main commit-ment is €250,000 towards the StandedgeVisitor Centre and that is the end of ourmajor gifts! The rest is there to supportthe Society’s future activities.

John Mac is still tying up HCS(R)’s affairs.These will not be finalised until all theretention monies from various contracts

have been paid to us - and there is stillhalf a chance that some towpath work inTameside could come our way. That iswhy HCS(R) is not being closed downcompletely.

Agreed that meetings about the future ofHCS involving strategy, boat and volunteergroups should take place as a matter ofurgency to provide decisions to help usagree with the requirements of theAlliance Charter with BW. A deadline of30 October will allow us to have newsystems well in place before the “bigopening”.

It was suggested that the Society shoulddo some PR to raise public profile. Notmany people know just how successfulHCS has been over 25 years, raisingnearly €40 million. We must avoid beingswamped by positive press reports fromBW and the local authorities. (Strange as itmay seem the Society does not have aPress Officer - although Alec Ramsdenwas listed in the front of Plink 133, hehasn’t been in the job for over a year.Don’t ask!)

Several sponsors have come forward withoffers to help with bridge number plates,benches, bollards etc.. Not as easy as itseems with BW approvals needed etc.,but it will happen. (See the decision atJuly meeting which really oils the wheels!)

Council agreed that a donation toAnderton Lift was outside the Society’sscope but decided to promote the Appealin Pennine Link; see page 49.

Council agreed to write a letter in supportof the campaign to reopen Diggle Halt asthis would have long term benefits for thearea, the canal and tourism generally.


The Society is shifting its emphasis on‘sales’ to concentrate on items specific toour canal. We are to have new issues ofsweatshirts, golf shirts and T-shirts featur-ing a new logo to be used on the gar-ments.

The meeting on 26th July concentrated onthe reports from the three groups dealingwith the future, strategy, boats andvolunteers. All the groups’ reports wereapproved, with a few minor amendments,and largely follow the 22 items I spelledout in the last issue.

The following changes or matters of detailare worth recording.

STRATEGY

Frank Smith and Bob Gough are to bekept on at least until the end of April2002 to allow the necessary full-timesupport whilst Society reorganisation takesplace.

Volunteer operational groups will lookafter specific lengths of the canal andreport to the Society member(s) on themain Operational Liaison Group involvingBW and the three local authorities.

Tunnel End is going to be the mostsignificant tourist and boating area on thecanal and is probably our favourite for themain official opening ceremony nextsummer.

The Chairman hopes to have a “big bash”next summer that all members will beinvited to. Deciding on the format willprove difficult!

Keith Gibson is currently working on ahistory of the Society for publication.The office, with others, is preparing a newTowpath Guide. Ken Wright is retiring asEditor of Pennine Link after the officialopening and nobody has yet started a

queue to replace him!

An in depth study of festivals needs totake place. With campaigning more orless over, there has to be a new raisond’€tre.

BOATS

A new “tug and butty” for the water taxiat Marsden will have a tug that doubles asa 12-seater taxi and a dumb butty toconvert it into a 50-seater. Many morequalified skippers will be needed, trainingcourses etc - and volunteers generally.

Tenders are already being organised andfingers are crossed that some boat buildercan have it ready for next April/May.

BW are being asked to ensure that a safemooring is available at Tunnel End andthat work is done to enable the boat toget into the side at each end of its trip.The existing set-up has necessitated“walking the plank”.

VOLUNTEERS

All levels of volunteers will be requiredfrom managers, administrators and clerksto lock-wheelers, grass-cutters and tugoperators. Apart from the boat crewsalready mentioned. A recruitment drive isto take place but volunteers will only becalled up a few at a time to allow fortraining and initiation.

The “volunteer co-ordinator” (FrankSmith) will liaise between BW and theSociety to arrange work on canal relatedtasks. Managers of volunteer groups willbe incorporated in a new Council struc-ture.

Volunteers will be called upon on aregular basis and it will be necessary topay travelling expenses and to providecertain items of clothing.

cont’d over ...


GENERAL

To get the volunteers “off the ground”Council voted a budget of €10,000 forthe provision of mooring bollards andrings, canal side benches and bridgenumber plates.

All HCS members will be advised of therecruitment drive but, obviously, the maineffort will be concentrated in the Colneand Tame Valley areas.

All in all a useful amount of progress sincethe last report. Lots of ‘i dotting’ and ‘tcrossing’ and more to come. The mainthing is to get those volunteers in. If youhave any skills that you think might beuseful to he Society and you have sometime to spare, especially on weekdays, letthe office know - get on the list - 0161339 1332. Those of you who expressedcertain interests at the time of joining theSociety or on renewal, will be contactedin due course.

Ken Wright

IWA NewsThe Inland Waterways Handbook 2001 isnow on sale. A5 size, 96 pages, andcolour, it is filled with info. about IWAand its activities. There are regional mapswith waterway dimensions (NOT depths, Iassume, as these are a moveable feast! Ed)and local notes. Useful as a general sourceof information. Order by ‘phone to IWA(Sales) Ltd. on 01923 711114 at €3.25per copy or €2.50 to IWA members.

BW are to review the Boat Safety Schemeafter many complaints that, although theintentions are honourable, the wholething has become far too complicated andrestrictive.

Response to the Anderton Boat LiftAppeal has been extremely encouragingespecially amongst IWA members. Seeelsewhere for more details of how to help.

After all the consultation BW have comeup with proposals to establish their“Partnership with the People” initiative.The five elements are:-

1. Improved consultation procedures.

2. The new charitable trust shall be TheWaterways Trust (Surprise, surpise! Ed.)

3. New information service by subscrip-tion but not a “membership scheme.

4. BW and the Trust should work to-gether with others in partnership (Sincemost people count BW and the Trust asthe same thing, hear hear! Ed.)

5. BW will get the Trust to fund projectsoutside its own remit (e.g. the RochdaleCanal? Ed.)

New warnings issued about carbonmonoxide poisoning on boats following asingle, tragic fatality.

IWA has asked the Environment Ministerhow he proposes to consult on wildlifematters when there is no provision in theCountryside and Rights of Way Bill. Thissort of watchdog role is bread and butterto IWA.

English Nature is trying to become (canal)user friendly! And “will work in partner-ship with others to reduce adverse

...cont’d from page 41


impacts of adjacent land managementand development, in particular pollution,nutrient enrichment and depletion ofwater resources.”

IWA is asking for nominations for itsannual awards. By the time you read thiswe will know how Pennine Link fared inthis year’s Tom Rolt Awards!

The National Waterways Museum atGloucester Docks has reopened, followinga €1.5 million refurb. Paid for by HeritageLottery grant money.

IWA is concerned that, contrary to itsexpress aims at opening all waterways forpublic enjoyment and use, on a numberof waterways the authorities are applyingrestrictions to boating and other uses -usually for nature conservation or other‘management’ reasons. IWA has adoptednew policies to counter such actions,based mainly on prior consultation andagreement.

Waterways, the IWA magazine, is to bequarterly instead of 4 monthly.

One full page of update on the Hudders-field Narrow Canal is full of conjecture -their correspondent only had to ask! Still,they do point to member Martin Clark’swww.penninewaterways.co.uk/latest asthe way to keep really up to date!

The Environment Agency is reviewing byelaws for eels. Apparently the nets (eel-fishers’, that is) are causing damage toboats without much hope of recoveringcosts. Slippery creatures! Thought youwould like to know.

The Deputy Prime Minister, no less,launched the “Waterways for Tomorrow”initiative, which is the first Governmentpolicy paper for over 30 years and is the

first to acknowledge the achievementsand potential of waterway restoration. Itwill help to persuade local authorities andregional planners to take “greater noticeof inland waterways than previous”. Avery interesting and informative docu-ment which can be obtained, in full, fromDETR, Tel 0870 1226 236 or downloadedfrom their web site www.detr.gov.uk

IWA has made two donations towardsstudies on “Impact of User Distribution onthe wildlife of Waterways” and “Theincidence and impact of summer floodingof the Ouse Washes”. Fascinating stuff.

And another whopping contribution of€20,000 to the Wey and Arun Canal Trustfor their Drungewick Bridge Project. Thelargest grant ever, from IWA Larger GrantsFund. Total cost of project is €250,000.

And, finally, we got a lovely leaflet for thisyear’s National Waterway Festival atWaltham Abbey. A whole host of attrac-tions, including motorcycle stunts, cavalryhorses, steam engines, Chitty Chitty BangBang, falconry, quad bikes …. it goes onand on. The food bit interested me - Thai,German, wild boar (?), Indian, Mexican,crepes, baguettes, spit roast and vegetar-ian! Over 2000 exhibits, 300 boats andother floating exhibits.

I’ll bet it was a real good do. It ended onAugust 28th!

Ken Wright


Harwood’s SuezJohn Harwood continues his series ofjourneys round the world’s canals.

THE SUEZ CANALWe’ve all heard of Ferdinand de Lessepshaven’t we? The famous French engineerwho built the Suez Canal and played a bigpart in the building of the Panama Canal.Researching the history of the Suez areaproduces a few surprises - this projectactually started during the reign of thePharaohs!

The names of Tuthmosis III, Necho, Seti 1and Ramses II all crop up along with datesvarying between the 13th and 6th centuriesBC (yes BC) for attempts at shortening thesea route between the Mediterranean andthe Indian Ocean. During the Persianinvasion of Egypt King Darius I orderedthe completion of the Red Sea canal,which linked the Red Sea to the GreatBitter Lake and thence, a connection toone of the branches of the Nile delta. Thecanal was still in use during Ptolemy’speriod but fell into disuse thereafter. TheRoman Emperor Trajan ordered repairsbut by the 8th century AD it had fallen outof use.

Now we can begin the history we are allmore familiar with. Developments inworld trade and mapping brought about arealisation that the route between Europeand the Far East could be a lot shorterthan round Africa. Enter Napoleon whohad studies made, which concluded thatthere was a ten-metre difference in sealevel between the Med and the Red Sea.It was rapidly decided that whichever waythis might cause water to run would notbe a good idea (imagine if Napoleon hadbeen responsible for the Mediterranean

being ten metres higher!) (Or emptying it!Ed.) By the time de Lesseps appears onthe scene this ten-metre difference hadbecome a surveying error, which madelife a lot easier!

On the 25th April 1859 excavation beganon what we recognise today. By today’sstandards it was built by ‘slave labour’.Ten years later, at a cost of $100million,the canal was open and de Lessepsreputation was made. How many of usdevotees of classical music know thatVerdi’s opera ‘Aida’ was actually commis-sioned for the opening ceremony butunfortunately not finished in time (actu-ally premiered a year later).

The more recent history of the Suez Canalinvolves more politics than canal historyand can be left for study by those withother interests however its statistics makeinteresting reading. It is 121 miles longwith a minimum bottom width of 197feet. Thus ships of up to 150,000 tonsfully laden and with a draught of up to 53feet can make a passage. Although goodlengths are for single passage only thereare many opportunities for passing, thusup to 100 ships a day make the passage,saving a tremendous mileage compared torounding Africa. Use of a toll calculatoravailable on the Internet reveals that totransit in a 15 ton narrowboat would cost108.15. Unfortunately we are not told inwhat currency, to take with us on the trip!

John Harwood


Dredges and elevators at work during the last stages of making the Suez Canal. Most of the canal was cut by such machines,used as soon as enough water could be introduced along the line, though portions, as at the Chalouf rock cutting near Suez,had to be entirely hand cut.

The work of a Suez Canal Company’s pilot. In 1927 Capitaine - Pilote Lyddon wrote a handbook to pilotage, which was printedat the company’s works at Ismailia. Its careful instructions and drawings included advice (right) upon how to use the channel’spassing places. Later the company initiated the convoy system, by which a line of ships transited the canal one way, to besucceeded by another going the other, thus making passing places unnecessary. Finally, canal widening made passingpracticable along most of its length.

Illustrations from Hadfield, C., World Canals - Inland Navigation Past and Present, 1986, David and Charles


Photo Competition 2000ANOTHER PAIR OF BINOCULARS TO BE WON!

With so much happening on our canal at themoment you should all be out there with yourcameras! What an opportunity to see restorationin action and have a crack at winning a pair ofbinoculars, or a cash prize or a beautifullyilluminated certificate!

Following the success of last year’scompetition, we are again waiving the placeand time rules of previous years! Any inlandwaterway shot, worldwide, from the inventionof the camera to the present day will qualify -the only other criteria being that thephotographer must be (or be directly relatedto) a bona fide member of HCS.

And there’s ANOTHER PAIR OF BINOCULARS!

Yes, member Anthony Carter who runsARCADE PHOTO SERVICES, IMPERIALARCADE, NEW STREET, HUDDERSFIELD hasagain generously offered a pair of binocularsas a tempting prize for the overall winner ofour competition. And there will be other cashprizes again, their size being solely dependentupon the number of entries! Last year’s prizeswere boosted by part of the money awardPennine Link got from the Inland WaterwaysAssociation. We’re trying to win that oneagain, naturally!

RULES

Prints only, black & white or colour - winningentries will be published in Pennine Link inblack and white. Minimum size 6” x 4”,maximum 8” x 6”. Any canal-related subjectis acceptable in the following categories:-

a) Huddersfield Narrow - Seniorb) Huddersfield Narrow - Junior (16 or under)c) Other waterways - Seniord) Other waterways - Junior (16 or under)

Open only to bona fide members of HCS andtheir immediate families. Entry fee of 50p perprint. Postage required for return of prints.

HOW TO ENTER

1. Send your prints (maximum 5 per personin each category) to:-

PHOTO COMPETITIONHUDDERSFIELD CANAL SOCIETY239 MOSSLEY ROADASHTON-U-LYNE OL6 6LN

2. Include details of the photographs(captions if you so wish) and age of thephotographer if 16 or under.

3. Include your name and address and thename of the HCS member you are related to.

4. Include return postage if you want yourprints back.

5. Include P.O. or cheque (payable to HCS)totalling 50p for each print submitted.

6. CLOSING DATE - 17th November 2000.Don’t miss it!

PRIZES

The judge will again be Geoffrey Hope, PastPresident of Oldham Photographic Societywho will write a critical comment for eachprint submitted.

There will be a winner and a runner-up ineach of the four categories a) to d) and eachwill receive a certificate and a cash prize.There will also be certificates for “highlycommended” and “commended” categories.

The overall winner will receive the PennineLink Challenge Shield for one year, a replica tokeep, a pair of binoculars and a signedcertificate.

All winning prints will be published in PennineLink, with the judge’s comments.

Any queries to: The Editor, Ken Wright.Tel: 01457 873599

The value of the prizes will depend on thenumber of entries so - get shooting orsearching - and make it worthwhile!


What the Papers SayAnother mixed bag. The local papers havegone a bit quiet, especially on the eastside where my correspondent has gonewalkabout - on his boat! So I have culled afew snippets from here and there asprinted in the national broadsheets.Makes a change!

Oldham Chron - May 22

Large article and photo (similar to the oneon the back of the last Plink) about theopening of Wool Road.

Oldham Chron - May 22

Nice story about maintaining the stone-work on Capesthorne Hall, nearMacclesfield. “So what?”, you ask. Well,the photo shows our own ex-HCS(R)mason Andy Sharp working on the 200year old balustrade.

Oldham Chron - June 1

Report on cancellation of Stalybridge boatrally in May 2001. Probably now in 2002so as not to compete with grand officialopening or Tameside Canal Festival.


Article and editorial on the green light forthe redevelopment of the Co-op site inFailsworth - one of the major obstacles onthe Rochdale Canal.


Warning motorists to stay away fromUppermill on Whit Friday (June 15) andSaturday June 16th because a combinationof Whit Walks, Beer Walks and trafficlights would cause chaos. They didn’t!


Trumpet blowing article about “Water-ways for Tomorrow” the new BW charter

and how the Rochdale Canal will helpcreate 9000 permanent jobs, 4700temporary jobs and 445 new homes. Ialways wonder who is going to countthem!

Oldham Chron - July 1

Notice of “Cotton and Canals” a free,guided 3-mile walk in Mossley taking inthe historic relationship between localcanals and mills.


Report and photo of vandalism on re-stored locks on the Rochdale Canal.White paint everywhere, a real mess.

And, as we spread the net a bit wider! Allin July.

Kennet and Avon Canal is shortlisted forBritish Construction Industry Award (NewCivil Engineer).

Canals are to be used to move drinkingwater to the parched south-east from thesaturated north-west with the canalsacting as reservoirs in direct competitionwith water companies (The Guardian).

5000 miles of the Sustrans National CycleNetwork is now complete. (THE BEANO!)

A third set of locks on the Panama Canal,to take today’s largest ships, is bound togo ahead at a cost of €2 - 3 billion. “Thecanal either expands or dies” says canalchief. (Financial Times).

The UK’s first “drop lock” will open onScotland’s Millennium canal scheme nextyear. This drops a boat under a majorroad and brings it up again at the otherside. 2000 cubic metres of water to bepumped out each time. (New CivilEngineer)


Thousands watch the reopening ofScotland’s Union Canal at Boxburn - a bitdifferent from Wool Road! A new pictureof the proposed boat lift (The FalkirkWheel - opposite), already designatedone of the “wonders of the modernworld”. Hope it is more successful thanthe Dome! (New Civil Engineer)

BW is planning to build Britain’s firstcanal for more than 100 years fromBedford to Milton Keynes and is pre-pared to spend more than €70m to openup East Anglia to more freight andboating. (Financial Times)

Back to Reality!


Full page of colour photographs ofTameside Canal Festival concentrating onthe fancy-dress parade of boats.


€180 billion boost for transport couldmean the odd bob or two to restore therailway station at Diggle. Looking increas-ingly hopeful.


“Canal work causing few problems”.

Council members at Saddleworth praisedall the efforts at Wade Lock and agreed towrite to “the canal restorers” to congratu-late them on their work. PLEASE - don’tleave the contractors out this time!

“Villagers in Saddleworth expect therestored canal to have a considerableeffect on the local economy. A tourismboost is expected, and new shops andsupply points for canal traffic are expectedto spring up beside the canal bank”.

A good note to end on - and the end ofthe cuttings for this Pennine Link. I, too,am too far away to read the papers!

Ken Wright


Copies of the Appeals flyer “Start Her Up”were included with the last issue ofPennine Link and I am following that upwith another appeal, from the Society, forhelp with this incredibly worthwhileventure. I can do no better than quoteparts of an open letter from Martin BellMP, President of the Appeal. Ed.

“Something extraordinary is happeningdown on the canal at Anderton. Girder bymassive girder, Britain’s only Boat Lift isfinally being restored.

It’s a unique project and today I urge youto come aboard. For a small monthlycontribution to the Anderton Boat LiftAppeal, you can help revive this wonderof the waterways.

The Anderton Boat Lift is the canals’ EiffelTower. It’s a magnificent symbol of theindustrial age, precious to the wholenation. In fact, when Edwin Clarke builtthe first Boat Lift 125 years ago, itsawesome design inspired engineersthroughout the world.

This world-class heritage feature has stoodidle for too long. It is 17 years since aboat was last lowered from the Trent andMersey Canal to the River Weaver.

Anderton Boat Lift AppealA partnership of waterways organisationsand businesses has raised much of thefunding for this unique project in livinghistory. Now, with a final €250,000needed to ensure the success of theAppeal, we are turning to individualwaterways lovers.

· If you can contribute €240 or more(€5 a month over four years) you willreceive the valuable benefits of becominga Sponsor of the Appeal, including anexclusive commemorative plaque (and anewsletter and a chance to ride in thelift.Ed)

· And if your society, company or clubcould offer its collective support, pleasetelephone to join our charity’s Patrons.

These tax-efficient methods of supportingthe Appeal are described in the leafletwhich you should already have seen.Additional copies are available from AmyIllidge on 01606 77415.

Join up now on 01923 201383.

With thanks,

(signed)

Martin Bell MP

1908 1983 2001


The SUSTRANS National Cycle Network- and canalsThe National Cycle Network has been in thenews in many and varied ways recently.

First, there’s the official pamphlet fromSUSTRANS (it stands for Sustainable Transport)asking for donations to complete the matchingfunding required to “unlock” all the €43million pledged by the MillenniumCommission.

Reading the leaflet we find that “over one-third of the Network will be entirely traffic-free, built along old railway lines, CanalTowpaths (my bold, Ed.), riversides andderelict land. These high quality routes will beopen to cyclists and pedestrians and in themajority of cases will be ideal for push-chairsand wheel-chairs too.”

Hardly “traffic-free” in my estimation! Theoverall feeling is that “traffic” other thancyclists is allowed to share their space. Canaltowpath walkers know only too well what theyhave to contend with - and does the fact thatother wheeled items such as push-chairs andwheel-chairs will be allowed mean that tarmacsurfacing and street-lighting will be next?

Remember the quotation from Tom Rolt’s“Narrow Boat” - “To step down from somebusy thoroughfare onto the quiet towpath of acanal … is to step backward a hundred yearsor more and to see things in a different, andperhaps more balanced perspective.”

Elsewhere the SUSTRANS leaflet, under theheading “Who benefits from the NationalCycle Network?” lists “Routes to Progress”.One of these routes is “HERITAGE - Countlesshistoric landmarks like canals, bridges,viaducts and old railways are being given anew lease of life”. I can’t see SUSTRANSactually restoring many canals just to createcycle routes. Rather, they adopt a parasiticapproach and jump on the back of newlyrepaired towpaths.

British Waterways have been quiet on thistopic recently - in my hearing, anyway.

They have said in the past that they would notconsider a towpath as a cycle way unless itwas over 2.5 metres wide. You may remember“The Wife’s Tale” talking about the new cycleway on the Mon and Brec near Brecon. That isso wide that pedestrians on it feel as thoughthey are intruding onto a vehicle carriageway!

Recently, in New Civil Engineer, there was asort of debate between two knowledgeablefolk - the former City Engineer of London anda senior engineer with the Traffic Director forLondon. They had very contrary views on thequestion “Do plans to give cyclists more roadspace run counter to Government plans toreduce road accidents by 40%?” The CityEngineer said “YES” to this and “within thecycling community there is almost totaldisregard of the Highway Code and a generallack of discipline. This is part of a widerproblem and I do not believe the wholesaleprovision of dedicated cycle facilities wouldimprove the situation”. He went on to say,“The cycling community does not contributeto the upkeep of the road network in the sameway as motorists, and yet they demand that alarger slice of the corporate cake be spent oncycling measures”.

The counter argument quoted all the benefitsfrom cycling, no air or noise pollution, healthgiving, fuel-free, use by children, occupyinglittle space. “A shift to cycling from a non-sustainable mode of transport should be givenmuch encouragement.” A provision of “wholeroutes” would help to encourage more cyclistsand to make cycling safer, the design of thewhole road network must become more cyclefriendly.

We must accept that there are goodarguments on both sides. Our special concernsare about cyclists on inadequate towpaths.

Council member Keith Noble has been aleader in the cycle discussion for a long timeand recently wrote the following plea to NewCivil Engineer which is, of course, read by all


the people responsible for designing cycleroutes:-

Keep cycle militants off the towpath

For a long time canal towpaths haveaccommodated casual cyclists, walkers andanglers in relative harmony. Unfortunately wenow have to contend with the militanttendency among cyclists who believe that theirrights are superior to those of other users.These are people who use canals not forpleasure but as a convenient transport link.

This letter is a plea to engineers who areengaged in planning cycleways. Cycleways areessentially provided for those who wouldotherwise use the general highway. The routeof a canal towpath is often an easy, cheapoption but, please, seek other fully segregatedalignments for cycleways so that users oftowpaths may continue to enjoy their peacefulrecreation.

Keith Noble MICE

I must say, though, that THE WIFE and I haverecently had a pleasant experience relating tocyclists. We were walking a length of theRochdale Canal between Mytholmroyd andHebden Bridge and encountered ten or socyclists, solo and in groups and of all ages.Without exception we were warned of theirpresence by voice or bell, and thankedpolitely for letting them pass. Mind you, this isKeith Noble territory - he must have hiscyclists very well trained!

As a footnote, how about this from Ben Adamsof Exeter in July’s Reader’s Digest:-

Tour De Farce

I noticed that my grandmother was not takingher usual walks along the canal. I asked herwhy and she told me that my mother had saidthere was a psychopath along that route. Iconfronted my mother about this, but she justlaughed: she had actually said “cycle path”.

Ken Wright

Left: Towpaths - not for cyclists?Below: The Brecon to Brywich motor cycleway.For comparison in size see THE WIFE and a balance beam.(K. Wright)


Ashton (Tameside) Canals Festival - 2000Once again the Tameside committee didthe weather wizardry right. The warmestweekend in July, with no rain and blueskies, looked down benevolently on the23rd Festival. Boaters were down innumbers this year, even with the Millen-nium Commission’s sponsorship payingfor all the boat entries and giving effectivefree entrance to all the participatingboaters. A rush at the death brought in atotal of 50 boats, up on last year but wellbelow the record of 100 a few years ago.The other special events for this millen-nium year and increased vandalism in thearea were two reasons advanced for thisdrop. We had no problems at all this yearwith vandalism and the only slightlyinebriates were all part of the festival. Ithink it is very noticeable that everyoneseems to be getting older! (Not the ladieson the committee I hasten to add, theymust all have this portrait in the attic!)

The opening concert on Friday nightfeatured local group ‘The Five PennyPiece’ and although the marquee wascrammed full, there was a loss on thenight as ‘name’ bands are expensive.However it got the festival off to a rousingstart and set the tone for the weekend.John Squirrel worked wonders with theFestival of Dance and had thick crowdsround the dance area all day Saturdayand Sunday - and it wasn’t just for thebelly dancer! The gymnastics of theUkrainian Dancers were well worth theprice of admission and some highlychoreographed footwork by a team ofclog dancers was well appreciated. John’sown team, the Mossley Morris men,performed with their usual imperturbableperfection.

The official opening on Saturday had oneslight hiccup. The two young girls whowere to make the presentations to themayor went with the Police launch at thestart of the Civic Cruise, but instead oflanding they persuaded the bobbies totake them on an extended trip! Thepresentation was made by Ann Minor,who was the only committee lady intraditional costume. Afterwards in therefreshment tent we were treated to thesight of the Mayor showing how to pullpints - and a super job he made of it!

The twin town of Armenti€res sent theiryouth accordian band which teamed upwith the locals to have a 50/60 strongband playing on Saturday afternoon. Alsoduring the day Ratty the clown with hismagic and Punch and Judy, and Pete Zeewith his amazing feats of balance, keptthe crowds enthralled. Free boat tripssponsored by the Millennium Commissionand run by HCS boat crew proved a day-long draw. Saturday finished with thebangs and flashes from ‘Walk the Plank’,an extravaganza funded by GreaterManchester. Their cost per show through-out the districts will work out slightly morethan the cost of the festival’s entireweekend!

We were down on Traders this year andparticularly in the Craft Tent. As everyonereported record business last year I canonly assume that the awkwardness ofgetting on and off the site was too muchfor them. We are tentatively looking at thepossibilities of another site withinTameside, but nowhere else has quite thesame feel about it.


As a long-standing committee membercan I congratulate Madam ChairmanShirley Rowbottom for keeping us inorder all year and for the shortest speechon record at the opening!

We will have some new faces next year.The Ogborns, Alwyn and Simon, whohave produced electricity practically outof thin air for years, and spent the bestpart of a week on site setting up andkeeping the flow going, are retiring fromthe committee. So is Joan Harvey whomust have done most jobs in her years onthe committee. The rest of us wish them ahappy retirement!

The weekend is hard work, but at the endof the day is the inner warmth of anothersuccessful show, and another five or sixthousand people sent away with smiles ontheir faces.

Brian MinorFestivals Officer

Top: Festival President Malcolm Allcard officially opens the2000 Tameside Canals Festival with (left to right) Cllr. Ann

Denham, Mayor of Kirklees, Shirley Rowbottom, TCFChairman, Cllr. Brian Wild, Mayor of Tameside and Cllr. John

Dillon, Mayor of Oldham, in attendance.Middle: George Tewson, one of the younger ‘members’ of

HCS, helps with litter collection - the only way we could gethim to help was to let him drive the tractor.

Bottom: Winner of the ‘Best Decorated Boat’ competition,Alan Knott and Pam Romanski’s ‘Anonymous’.

B.

Min

orB

. M

inor

B.

Min

or


Two Routes in OneMember Ian France has been wandering aboutin the hills above Marsden, trying to find thebest way for the boat horses of old. We aretalking about “transhipment” before the tunnelwas open not leading the horses over whilstboats were “legged” through.

I can’t help mentioning my own theory aboutWool Road. What we call the TranshipmentWarehouse was, in fact, the wool shed for themill. It is on the wrong side of the canal fortranshipping from boats to horses and carts.The real transhipment warehouse was on thesite of the existing car park, nearly as large asthe one at Marsden and accessed by its ownwharf which exists in part and was adapted tocreate the new slip-way. Ed.

For a number of months I’ve been back andforward over Standedge watching the progressof the restoration of the Huddersfield NarrowCanal. Part of the time was to check on ‘BoatLane’ for a walk which I was leading.

What nattered me about the current route wasthat it is far too ‘bendy’. So I looked into thepurpose of ‘Boat Lane’ and came to theconclusion that the current route actuallycombines two routes!

Looking at the map it can be seen that the firstTranshipment Warehouses were at WoolRoad, Uppermill and Warehouse Hill,Marsden. The most direct route from Marsdenincorporates the second turnpike of 1777, upand round the back of Redbrook Reservoir.It then joins the familiar track down to Diggle,then to Wool Road. This is another mystery tosolve later since a track wide enough for a

horse and cart would be required. This is myfirst route.

The second one is from Tunnel End Marsdento Diggle, where warehouses were built as theconstruction of the canal progressed. Buildingsat the side of the dock on the original line atDiggle resemble warehouses.

From Tunnel End my route goes up onto theA62 (third turnpike) via Ainsley Lane. Thecurrent Boat Lane then follows a track roundthe back of Owlers Farm to Flint Pit, then onto Old Mount Road (second turnpike).I personally feel that this is not wide enoughfor horses and it has been suggested that itwas for Pule Hill Quarry workers fromMarsden. I hope the map makes it all clear!

I plump for a direct route, after all time ismoney! This follows the third turnpike uptowards Flint, then between Redbrook and theEngine House and finally Brun Clough, all ofwhich were under construction at the sametime, so there must have been access betweenthem. Then it was down into Diggle on thefamiliar route for a well earned bag of cornand water for the horses. (Not to mention apint at the Diggle O! Ed.)

Members of Dewsbury Boat Club walked fromUppermill to Marsden and had to stop off atthe Great Western Hotel on Standedge!!

Ian France

I have taken the liberty of changing Ian’sspelling of trans-shipment to the Society’sacceptable alternative - at least in mydictionary - of transhipment! Ed.

The Back Page

THE SOCIETY WELCOMES THE FOLLOWING NEW MEMBERS:

MEMBERSHIP RATES

Individual £9.00Family £11.00Life £90.00Associate £15.00Corporate £150.00

ADVERTISING RATES

Per Issue Per Year

Quarter £9.38 £37.50

Half £18.50 £75.00

Full £37.50 £150.00

COPY DATE

Articles, letters andcomments for Issue 135 ofPennine Link should reachthe Editor at Bridge House,

Dobcross, Oldham, OL35NL by 3rd November

PENNINE LINK ARCHIVE:

The following back issues are available freefrom John Maynard, 29 Thick Hollins Drive,Meltham, Yorkshire, HD7 3DL. Please sendan A5 stamped, addressed envelope (41p) orA4 sized envelope (72p) for issues 81/82, 91.

Issue Numbers:24, 25, 38, 47, 48, 54, 56, 58, 59, 64 to 67,74, 75, 77, 79 to 97, 99, 101, 103, 104, 111,117 to 119, 121 to 125, 129 to 132.

These are the only back issues available, pleasedo not request issues which are not on this list.

WEST SIDE SOCIAL MEETINGS:

As usual, the venue is the TollemacheArms, Manchester Road, Mossley(Roaches) on the second Wednesday ofthe month commencing at 8.00pm.Forthcoming meetings are: 11th October,8th November, 13th December.

Across: 6. Burtonontrent 8. Cressy 9. Pennines 10. Mat 11. Demo 12. Ooh 13. Efts 14. Ashford15. Steward 19. Grub 21. Sea 22. Tide 23. Pas 24. Adelaide 25. Turfed 26. Eelmoor FlashDown: 1. Brushoff 2. Bodymoor 3. Compton 4. Stanch 5. Venice 6. Barkersbridge 7. Trentbridge16. Tipstaff 17. Waterway 18. Capearm 20. Boldly 21. Sailor

2572 Mr Murray, 2573 Mr Stowell, 2574 Mr Blewitt, 2575 Mr & Mrs Sykes, 2576 Mr Brothers, 2577 Mr Brooksbank, 2578 Miss Singer, 2579 Mr Thomas, 2580 Mr Pryor, 2581 Mr & Mrs Aibey, 2582 Mr & Mrs Fletcher, 2583 Mrs Ritchie, 2584 Mr Conquer, 2585 Mr Burrell,


link - huddersfield narrow canal · 2013. 12. 15. · company report the momentous changes along...

Documents