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Posted on: Monday April 1, 2019 at: 1:18 pm
Yorkshire sunshine
We recently travelled along the Huddersfield Narrow and Broad Canals, which take you up through Lancashire, and then down the Yorkshire side of the Moors. On the way down the Yorkshire side in particular, we saw some beautiful views, enhanced by the gorgeous Spring sunshine.
This trip involved a challenge – The Standedge tunnel. It is the longest tunnel on the system (about 3.5 miles), deepest (as it has the moors towering above it), the narrowest (only just room for Brandy Pad to squeeze through in places) and the lowest (I banged my head more then once). We hit the sides a few times – it is impossible not to – but only with the rubbing strips along the sides of the hull. Fortunately we did not hit the cabin sides, which would have been much more difficult to repair. The canal tunnel is actually one of four. There is a double rail tunnel on one side, still in use. An older rail tunnel on the other is now used as access for repair and safety.
There are strict safety rules involved in this passage. We had a chaperone from the Canal and River Trust, who was accompanied by three trainee chaperones. We had to wear hard hats, hi-vis vests and life jackets. Times of passage are specific, as there is no space for two boats to pass if you meet in the middle.
About 50 men lost their lives digging this tunnel and when you see the variations in height and width along the way, you have to feel for the original boat men and women who would have legged it through (on their backs, using their feet to “walk” against the sides or roof). We did it in just over 1 hour thirty-five minutes under power, which was pretty good going.
So, here is a short video to give you a feel for the rather claustrophobic journey. Enjoy:
Phew! It felt claustrophobic just watching it for a minute. Well done!
Well, there is a cafe – in the visitor centre
Impressive! There should be a small volunteer welcome party stationed at each end to cheer the intrepid boaters as they emerge.
Indeed not, it is tough to decide which was the more daunting – this or our first trips on tidal rivers – https://brandypad.uk/wp-content/uploads/Videos/trentvideopage.html
Not for the fainthearted!