The Huddersfield Narrow Canal reopened to boats on 1st May 2001, after a closure of almost 60 years. The restoration has been financed with over £30 million of funding from the Millennium Commission, English Partnerships and other sources. The 23 mile long canal with its 74 locks travels from Ashton-Under-Lyne (where it connects with the Cheshire Ring), through spectacular Pennine scenery to Huddersfield. Without the efforts of volunteers from the Huddersfield Canal Society the project would almost certainly never have come to fruition.
The canal is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and has some rare species of birds and plants.
Brief history of the Huddersfield Narrow Canal
1797 |
Work started on building the Huddersfield Narrow Canal. |
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1811 |
The canal was opened. |
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1849 |
The first of three railway tunnels opened in competition with the canal. |
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1944 |
Competition from the railways caused the canal to close. |
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1974 |
Huddersfield Canal Society was formed and restoration work was begun. |
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1997 |
Millennium funding was awarded for the full restoration project. |
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May 2001 |
The Huddersfield Narrow Canal opened again for navigation. |
Huddersfield Narrow Canal restoration - This is
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| Cruising the Huddersfield
Narrow Canal page 1 of 6 pages | | Portland
Basin Museum |