Boats back in the water

TAKING the plunge . . . one of the refurbished electric barges is lifted into the Huddersfield Narrow Canal by a large crane.

CANAL enthusiasts will soon be able to travel along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal from Saddleworth to Marsden via the Stanedge Tunnel.

British Waterways is gearing up for spring and has had its electric passenger barges overhauled and painted ready for the new season.

They were hoisted back into the water at Diggle ready to travel through the tunnel which is the highest, deepest and longest canal tunnel in the country — and officially one of the seven wonders of the UK’s inland waterways system.

The tunnel and visitor centre opens on Saturday. Trips through the tunnel are available once a month on Saturdays, with more regular 30-minute rides in the glass-topped vessels available every day except Monday.