More boats required.

After reading all about the excess numbers of boats in London, and having seen that for ourselves (but found it not as bad as some would have you think) it was amazing to read of a canal where more boats are desired! I recently received my Pennine Link magazine, the organ of the Huddersfield Canal Society and it said that whilst the numbers of boats using the canal were about the normal so far they really wanted to increase the numbers. I can attest to the fact that the canal, or the tow path at least, is used extensively by cyclists and walkers but there are few boats moving along it's length. Especially the Narrow Canal. They say that is perhaps due to the fact that the transit of the tunnel is limited to three days a week and it needs to be booked at least three days in advance. I think the limitation is partly due to the provision of 'pilots', or chaperons as C&RT like to call them and them cost of this. I think the Canal Society are getting two of their volunteers trained up for this so that should ease somewhat. The other factor is that if it became very busy there could be a problem with water supply. I think this is being looked at in the water resources management structure for the region.

Stakes Aqueduct over the River Tame near Stalybridge, built by Benjamin Outram.

How ever I think the real reason that there are few people that want to use the Huddersfield Narrow Canal and pass through the longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel in the UK is that they have heard from other boaters that it is terrible! The boaters grapevine is a wonderful thing so long as you don't believe everything you hear. The bush telegraph seems to have a magnifier attached to it. What may be one incident in a place turns into a no go area after several tellings. How many times have we heard that you should never stop in Leicester as it is dangerous. There are safe and secure moorings provided on the offside. Admittedly these are limited in number but with sense you can use the towpath without more than the normal worries in a city. The local police patrol told me that they haven't had any incidents there for many years. It is the same with moorings in London as this is a very special case. There aren't many places on the rest of the system where you would have to consider mooring alongside a boat that may not have a couple of a certain age with at least one dog and a well polished side, but in London if you are willing to do it then there is no problem. It may not be a problem as there are places to moor on a first come first served basis at the basins etc. The apocryphal stories about the Huddersfield are many, no water, no moorings, heavy gates, boats stuck on sills etc etc, and all have been true at some time or another. It is also true of every other canal on the system.

Next time you here such a story ask the teller if it happened to them, or they have been and witnessed it. 99 time out of 100 I bet they say that it was at least third hand. Part of the idea of reopening the through route was to assist in the regeneration of the towns and villages along the canal. This wont really happen until boats come in greater numbers. Stalybridge is a case in point. The local council flattened an area to allow the canal to come through and the canal passes the resulting Armentieres Square was a focal point for the generation of the area. All it is lacking is boats passing through for the Gongoozlers and ice cream vans etc to congregate.

Armentieres Square, Stalybridge.

It must be somewhat disheartening for the Canal Society that after such a superhuman effort by many bodies and people, and vast sums of money, that the canal is under utilised and somehow devaluing their effort.  The Society are doing their part by lobbying for more work to be carried out on the infrastructure ( and doing plenty of it themselves too), increasing the number of moorings, and making a leaflet of the details of facilities for boaters etc . It is up to boaters to come and use the canal to show that their efforts were not appreciated by boaters. The old addage of 'use it or lose it' hold good here. The fact that many more boats will bring many more problems is just something that have to be addressed when it happens. For me it is a glorious trip and the sense of achievement of completing the trip is worth the effort. The scenery is fantastic and the locals are friendly. Try it for your selves.

Entrance to the Diggel, west end, of the Standedge Tunnel.

Huddersfield Canal Society Photography competition winner 2014.

The Standedge Tunnel, Nathan Reynolds, York.

Autumn in the Colne Valley.

Locomotive Bridge, Huddersfield.