CANAL boaters could soon be chugging through Standedge Tunnel using their own power if a key British Waterways decision goes their way.
Diesel narrow boats have always been barred from navigating the 3 ¼ mile-long tunnel between Marsden and Diggle, the highest, longest and deepest in the country, for fears passengers could be overcome by engine fumes or have an accident.
Instead boats are towed through by canal workers using electric-powered tugs, which only operate on Wednesdays and Fridays.
But Huddersfield Canal Society spokesman, Keith Noble, said talks were underway to try and get the ban lifted.
He said: “The problem is people who go boating enjoy the freedom of the canals and anything interfering with that is a bit of an impediment.
“One would like to turn up and just go, At least if one can go through on one’s own it would be an improvement.
“It was thought at one time with diesel boats the quality of the air would be too poor but they did some tests and found it wasn’t a problem.
“We want to see as many people on the canal as possible, an awful lot has been put into restoring it and the current system is putting people off.”
Steve Hemming, leisure business manager for British Waterways Yorkshire, confirmed they were looking into a better way of taking boats through the tunnel.
He said:“ Standedge is unique and its construction presents some unusual challenges.
“We are currently going through a tender process with contractors to assess whether a change to tunnel operations is cost effective and meets our strict safety controls.
“The main focus of this work has been to carry out trial passages with diesel- engined boats and to test the level of noxious gas emissions in the tunnel.
“The evidence to date suggests that we are well within Health and Safety Executive limits for “safe working” and we now have gas monitors fixed throughout the tunnel for long-term hazardous gas emissions monitoring.
“We’ve also been assessing how improvements can be made to tunnel communications as well as working with the emergency services to look at how we can improve tunnel safety and tackle some of the hazardous pinch points that can damage boats.
“If the project proves justifiable, subject to funding, the intention will be for British Waterways to introduce a ‘chaperoned’ service.
“The new system would allow boat owners to travel with their boats under their own power with British Waterways staff acting as chaperones.
“We are also planning to introduce a through-trip for hikers so that they can travel all the way through the tunnel and see this unique and fascinating example of our industrial heritage.
“These are planned for the first Saturday of every month during the summer season.”
For more information visit www.standedge.co.uk
