Correcting some of the impressions of the 'Narrow'

I AM writing as Chairman of Huddersfield Canal Society in response to your rather pessimistic article, records Alan Stopher.

I can understand that ‘Improvements made on the Huddersfield' may not get some of your readers excited but I would like to correct some of the impressions which you gave.

A great boost

The £32m of funding gave a great boost to overcome the main barriers to the once ‘Impossible Restoration'. Twelve of the 74 (not 84) [our mistake] locks were rebuilt or newly constructed between 1998 and 2001 in the final push for reopening to through navigation. Most of the others had had new gates installed during the 1980s which meant that they have required replacement in recent years.

The Canal & River Trust has continued British Waterways policy since reopening of tackling the worst gates each winter to reach the current position where very few early restoration period gates remain. Lock mechanisms have been replaced with Trent & Mersey style equipment as the unpopular hydraulic gear has become in need of repair.

Dredging tackled

Since your last visit in 2011 sections most in need of dredging have been tackled. Others remain but this is the case elsewhere on the network. A team devoted to grouting work is also sealing many of the worst sections of lock walls and embankments with the aim of keeping as much water in the canal as possible.

It is clear to me that the navigability of the Huddersfield Narrow has improved year on year as maintenance funds from CaRT and the three local authorities have been applied to keeping the waterway open. In common with other canals the Huddersfield is over 200 years old and there is a constant need to keep on top of repairs to locks, bridges and earthworks. Mercifully the HNC has got away relatively lightly during the last two year's deluges in the Pennines.

Stayed open

It stayed open when both other trans-pennine waterways were closed by repair of major breaches, bridge collapses and attendant flood damage. The torrential rain in the Tame Valley in late November 2016 did bring issues and this was the direct cause of the most recent wash-wall damage. Whilst unplanned stoppages are unfortunate it seems entirely appropriate for the repairs to be made as quickly as possible during the low season in order to reduce disruption and optimise cruising during the summer.

I commend the staff at Manchester & Pennine for reacting quickly and deploying contractors to put things right.

Threat of closure

It is far-fetched to suggest that the HNC is under threat of closure. Indeed all the emphasis is on increasing the usage of the more sparsely cruised northern canals. Tell the many satisfied users of the Huddersfield that it was opened too early and you'll get short shrift from those who sing its praises.

Confidence in the resilience of the Huddersfield has now improved to the stage that the Huddersfield Canal Society is joining forces with CaRT to plan a week-long Pennine Explorer Cruise along the lines of the well-established ones on the BCN. If any of your readers would like to bring their boats to join the Pennine Explorer Cruise from West to East in the last week of June this year then please contact Huddersfield Canal Society through its website. http://www2.huddersfieldcanal.com/contact-us/ You'll get a warm welcome and help on navigating the 74 locks.

The Huddersfield Narrow Canal is well-worth a visit. Come on in. The (Pennine) water's lovely.