Tunnel opened-up

THE tunnel that was constructed under Sellers Engineering when the Huddersfield Narrow Canal was restored, has been opened-up with the closure of the factory.

The top has been taken off and a new concrete lock has been built to raise the waterway to make a centre piece for development, with members of the Huddersfield Canal Society crewing the first boat though the lock, Mike Fretwell tells us.

Under factory

This was the tunnel where all the machinery was removed from the factory, the old canal dug out, a roof constructed over the waterway and then the machinery reinstalled, the boats then cruising under the factory.

The new 383 yards stretch of the waterway has now been officially opened, with the new lock raising the water level to ground level, that will be part of a big regeneration project.

First through

The Calder Navigation Society narrowboat Savile, crewed by society members, was the first boat through the new tunnel and Lock 3E, with representatives of the Huddersfield Canal Society and British Waterways as passengers.

Alan Stopher, Chairman of Huddersfield Canal Society, explained:

"After years in a tunnel hidden from view to all but boaters, this ‘new' stretch of canal is accessible to all. This project has transformed the waterside and has created a focal point for Huddersfield which everyone can come and enjoy."

A vehicle and footbridge have also been constructed, together with a lock landing stage for boaters.