Google Earth Community: Huddersfield Narrow Canal

It’s almost 60 years since the last commercial cargo plied the Huddersfield Narrow Canal (HNC), which runs some 20-odd miles between Huddersfield in West Yorkshire and Ashton under Lyne in Greater Manchester. “Narrow”? Its 74 locks were built 7 feet wide (and 70 feet long), to accommodate “narrow boats” of 30 tons burden.

The HNC boasts two records; the highest canal summit and the longest canal tunnel in the kingdom; 645 feet and three-plus miles respectively.

The HNC opened throughout in 1811 and, in its heyday in the mid 19th century, passed millions of tons of cargo annually across its summit. You can delve into its history here.

In 1948 the last commercial cargo traversed the HNC, victim of rail and road competition. It was left to its own devices; abandoned, in-filled in many places, built over by roads and factories. Only one remaining role, a drain-away for excess water, was catered for.

In 1974 the Huddersfield Canal Society was formed, with the objective to reopen the canal. Their enlightened persistence over almost 30 years led to its reopening, for leisure boating, in May 2001. Photos of the restoration are here.

Today, you can follow in the wake of those long-gone boatmen. The 74 locks you must operate yourself, but “legging” – lying on a plank and walking the tunnel wall for over three miles - is now history.

With recent GE updates you can now travel the HNC in comfort and, with the kind permission of Martin Clark of www.penninewaterways.co.uk, see the canal in its regenerated role, and enjoy the splendour of the Pennine scenery through which it passes. The placemark codes are:

A - Aqueduct
B - Bridge
F - Feature
L - Lock
T - Tunnel
V - Viaduct
W - Wharf

I recommend you take the trip from Ashton under Lyne in the south-west to Huddersfield in the north-east. That’s the direction Martin’s photographs lead us. Double-click the “Acknowledgement” placemark to zoom in to the start. Enjoy!

[Edit 20 May 08] User iamian says:

"Some great pictures of our canals. Just one small thing. You have the bridge between L21W and L22W as "Moorgate Bridge". It's right that this is the bridge that takes Moorgate over the HNC, but it is more correctly known as "Cloggers Knoll Bridge".

Ian

Uppermill, overlooking the HNC as I write this! "

Thanks Ian.

File updated.

Tom