----- Original Message ----- From: "qwertybjg" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, March 03, 2008 1:08 PM Subject: [canals-list] Re: Standedge Tunnel and Huddersfield Canal News
> --- In [email protected], Martin Clark <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > ... > > BW has announced proposals for possible major changes to the > operation > > of Standedge Tunnel. > > > > Under these proposals, from 2009, boats would pass through the > tunnel > > under their own power, piloted by a trained BW staff member. Boat > crews > > and pets would remain on board. > > > > For more details, see: > > <http://www.penninewaterways.co.uk/news/huddersfield01.htm#tunnel> > > That seems like a very interesting proposal. Especially if they are > able to allow diesel boats to use the tunnel without having > a 'Harecastle' like fan system. I have never been through the tunnel. > Does it have ventilation shafts? I do know about the links to another > tunnel alongside and wonder whether that provides adequate > ventilation. In the 60/70's boats were allowed through Harecastle Tunnel at the weekends when there was no tunnel keeper on duty and without the fans turned on. The air used to get a bit thick at times but I never felt uncomfortable even though there are no ventilation shafts within the tunnel. Standedge has side tunnels which connect up the canal and railway tunnels so there is probably perfectly adequate ventilation in most circumstances. > > Also, has this all been brought about because of the 'concerns about > the future reliability of the electric tugs'? You would have thought > that some sort of study into the feasability of using diesel power > through the tunnel would have been looked into when it was re-opened - > there must have been a reason for not allowing it before although BW > may just have assumed that as the tunnel was previously used with > electric tugs that diesel was unsuitable. > > I am, overall, quite surprised at this change. It sounds a sensible proposal to me, even though it might be a bit surprising in todays H & S culture. > > Also, do you know whether Boaters will be able to use the black > rubber cover things still? It will be nice to have the option of using them if they will be available. I presume the BW pilot will not necessarily do the steering if the boat owner is considered competent? Phil
