11,000 visit tunnel centre

IDYLLIC SCENE: Boats at Diggle

MORE than 11,000 visitors have toured Stanedge Tunnel and its visitor centre in the past year.

The country’s highest, longest and deepest canal tunnel has been a magnet for tourists keen to explore the area and find out more of the structure’s remarkable history.

And the site has picked up its second nomination in the Yorkshire Tourist Board’s tourism Oscars.

Stanedge was also heavily commended in VisitBritain’s visitor attraction quality assurance service. Its staff received high praise for their knowledge and customer care.

The report notes: “Stanedge Visitor Centre and boat trip is an excellent experience. Enthusiastic staff share their pride in the attraction for the benefit of the visitors.’

James Dean, visitor services manager at Stanedge, said: “Our visitor numbers are increasing year on year and we’ve all been working hard to ensure that our visitors have a great time when they come here.

“Tourists can enjoy an excellent day with a trip into the tunnel with one of our expert guides, a picnic or a bite to eat in the cafe, and a look round the visitor centre which charts the construction of the canal and tunnel.

“We’ve got some exciting plans for next year, with a return of some of our favourite events like the Ashley Jackson Painting Day, Marsden Jazz Festival and Artsfest. And we are planning a host of exciting new ones including a children’s art week on the opening weekend in April and a teddy bears’ picnic in May.”

Stanedge also came top in British Waterways’ regional award for excellence for its superb level of customer care.

Mr Dean added: “Visitors are always full of praise for my team. The knowledge and expertise we have is fantastic.

“One of our pilots, Fred Carter, has just celebrated 40 years working along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal.”

More information about Stanedge can be found at www.standedge.co.uk 


National check for licence dodgers

BRITISH Waterways is taking to the canals and rivers in search of boaters dodging their licence payments.

Between now and Friday of next week, officials will visit more than 270 miles of waterways as part of BW’s annual national boat check.

Despite a dramatic turnaround in fortunes for Britain’s canals and rivers, which now have more boats than at any other time in their history, a minority of people still do not obtain a boat licence.

Revenue from licences is an important contributor to the cost of maintaining the waterways. It helps to ensure vital activities, such as dredging, keeping towpaths safe, and maintaining locks and bridges.

Leisure business officer Robert Broadbent said: “Income from boating activity is very important in helping us maintain the network and most boaters are fully paid up contributors.

“There are however a small minority of licence evaders and we will be working hard to make sure we know who they are and where they are, so we can take the necessary action.”