HUDDERSFIELD NARROW CANAL
CANAL FACTS
Chronology of Events
1793
May 30th Canal formally proposed at a meeting in the George
Inn, Huddersfield
1793
Oct 22nd Benjamin Outram presents his report to the Committee
1794
April 4th - Act of Parliament passed authorising construction
of the canal
July - Work begins on the canal
1797
Mar 29th Section of canal between Huddersfield and Slaithwaite
opened
1798
Slaithwaite to Marsden and Greenfield to Ashton sections of
the canal opened
1799
Aug 17th Severe floods cause considerable damage to the canal
workings
1800
May 30th Second Act of Parliament passed to raise more money
1801
Outram resigns and his place is taken later by John Rooth
1806
Mar 31st Third Act of Parliament passed
1806
Thomas Telford is invited to survey the canal workings
1807
Jan 24th Telford presents his report to the Committee
1810
Nov 29th Swellands reservoir bursts its banks and claims six
lives
1810
Dec 10th First boat passes through Standedge Tunnel
1811
April 4th Official Opening of the canal
1824
Sept 1st First dividend of £ 1 paid to shareholders
1831
June 30th Reduction in tolls proposed to stimulate trade
1833
June 27th Appointment of official leggers for the tunnel
1845
July 21st Act for amalgamation of the canal with the Huddersfield
and Manchester Railway Company
1847
Huddersfield and Manchester Railway and Canal Company taken
over by the London and North Western Railway Company
1921
Last working boat passes through Standedge Tunnel
1944
Canal abandoned by Act of Parliament
1948
Last through passage from Ashton to Huddersfield by the `Ailsa
Craig'
1951
Most of the lock gates removed and replaced by concrete weir
planks
1956
Section through Slaithwaite filled in and canal culverted
1971
A second section through Slaithwaite filled in and culverted,
and most of the lock chambers are cascaded or capped to prevent
accidents
1974Huddersfield Canal Society formed to promote restoration
of the canal
1981
Restoration commenced on two lock chambers in Uppermill
1983
Tunnel End Cottages refurbished and reopened.
1984
Full restoration of Marsden ‑ Slaithwaite section begins.
1987
Marsden ‑ Slaithwaite section restored ‑ work
begins east of Slaithwaite Town Centre.
1988
Act of Parliament passed to allow pleasure boating on the
restored lengths of the canal.
1989
Engineering survey of Standedge Tunnel carried out. Restoration
of tunnel to navigation proved to be possible.
Canal Statistics
Length of canal ‑ 193/4 miles (32km)
Original length of Standedge Tunnel ‑ 3 miles 135 yds
(4950m)
Extended length of Standedge Tunnel ‑ 3 miles 418 yds
(5209m)
Height of top pound ‑ 645 ft AOD (196m) Ascent from
Huddersfield ‑ 436 ft (133m)
Ascent from Ashton‑under‑Lyne ‑ 334 ft (102m)
Total number of locks ‑ 74 Between Huddersfield and
top pound ‑ 42 Between Ashton‑under‑Lyne
and top pound – 32
Minimum size of lock chamber 70 ft (21.3m) long by 7 ft (2.
lm) wide
Estimated cost of canal ‑ £178,748
Actual cost of canal ‑ £272,463
Estimated cost of tunnel ‑ £54,187
Actual cost of tunnel ‑ £123,804
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