All aboard for the trip through the Standedge Tunnel at Diggle

A very rare event nowadays to witness a canal barge travelling through this long and somewhat daunting tunnel. It is only open 2-3 days per week and one has to pre-book and have a special pilot on board to help navigate it. The pilot here is the man on the right hand side. Before entry, all high objects such as chimney, aerials etc have to be removed. In the old days of horse pulled barges, the craft had to be ‘legged’ by people lying on their backs, on the roof of the craft and then pushing along with leg power using the tunnel roof and sides. As can be seen there is very little clearance between the barge and stone walls/roof. On some special days, an electric pleasure barge takes visitors through here. A trip that I remember well, some years back now, passing through much dripping water and low rocks at some places..
The tunnel opened in 1811. It is the the longest at 4984m – (just over 3 miles) as well as the highest, and deepest canal tunnel in the United Kingdom. Having been closed to all traffic in 1943, the canal tunnel was re-opened in May 2001.
NB the blue plaque says: "Thomas Telford 1757-1834, whose skills ensured the completion of the Diggle Flight and the Standedge Tunnel"…. Thomas Telford, of course was one of Britain’s most famous civil engineers and the ‘Flight’ mentioned here refers to the numerous flights of canal locks.

Enjoy full screen.