Bradford-Halifax Tunnel Cycleway Campaign

[classic33]

@uphillstruggler, there's a bit more on the work here.

Work is still ongoing to close the tunnel. Currently blocked entirely from shaft two.

 

[uphillstruggler]

@uphillstruggler, there's a bit more on the work here.

Work is still ongoing to close the tunnel. Currently blocked entirely from shaft two.

wasn’t this one of those ridiculous situations where it would be more costly to shut it than renovate it?

I suppose it depends on which firm backs the local councillor in the end

 

[classic33]

wasn’t this one of those ridiculous situations where it would be more costly to shut it than renovate it?

I suppose it depends on which firm backs the local councillor in the end

From what I know, all three local councillors(Queensbury) are for it reopening. But, it's highways England that are choosing the contractors and suppliers.

As said earlier in the thread, tunnel has now been blocked from shaft two. Shaft three being the one that was reported as damaged by a lightning strike. Flooded at the opposite end due to non-payment of an electric bill for the water pump.

Personal feeling is that there's something not being said whilst work continues.

 

[NorthernDave]

The spending of our taxes apparently knows no bounds:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0010chq/look-north-yorkshire-lunchtime-news-05102021

 

[Archie_tect]

Seems odd that Highways England 'owns' the tunnel- apologies I've not had time to read the whole thread but as with Canal and River Trust works if local groups were to start a crowd-funding campaign then there are people all over the world who would;d get behind it... just needs a push. Highways England would be pleased to off-load the responsibility I'm sure.

Not sure who owns the similar Monsal Trail and tunnels but the Queensbury site would attract similar public interest if it was carefully marketed.

 

[T4tomo]

Not sure who owns the similar Monsal Trail and tunnels but the Queensbury site would attract similar public interest if it was carefully marketed.

peak district national park authority - still effectively the government, but a different bit / budget
the Monsal trail, and nearby Tissington, Manifold and High peak trails are all excellent and a massive asset to the area.

 

[mjr]

Seems odd that Highways England 'owns' the tunnel- [...]

I believe that any bits still held by British Railways Board Residual in 2013 that could not be passed to national park authorities or councils or other public bodies were forced into Highways England so that BR could finally be closed down. Anything with "development potential" was passed to London and Continental Railways, including some sites in Manchester, Birmingham and London.

Many of us doubted that what was then effectively an agency for motorways and quasimotorways could be trusted with historic railway routes. The ongoing vandalism of many of them, including this one, suggests we were correct. Another legacy from Cameron and O'Donnell!

And of course, doubly ironic with Great British Rail starting up, which would be a better manager for this.

 

[Archie_tect]

I believe that any bits still held by British Railways Board Residual in 2013 that could not be passed to national park authorities or councils or other public bodies were forced into Highways England so that BR could finally be closed down. Anything with "development potential" was passed to London and Continental Railways, including some sites in Manchester, Birmingham and London.

Many of us doubted that what was then effectively an agency for motorways and quasimotorways could be trusted with historic railway routes. The ongoing vandalism of many of them, including this one, suggests we were correct. Another legacy from Cameron and O'Donnell!

And of course, doubly ironic with Great British Rail starting up, which would be a better manager for this.

Can the lobbying be increased with national heritage trail groups/ Tourist Board to get the tunnel transferred?

 

[classic33]

I believe that any bits still held by British Railways Board Residual in 2013 that could not be passed to national park authorities or councils or other public bodies were forced into Highways England so that BR could finally be closed down. Anything with "development potential" was passed to London and Continental Railways, including some sites in Manchester, Birmingham and London.

Many of us doubted that what was then effectively an agency for motorways and quasimotorways could be trusted with historic railway routes. The ongoing vandalism of many of them, including this one, suggests we were correct. Another legacy from Cameron and O'Donnell!

And of course, doubly ironic with Great British Rail starting up, which would be a better manager for this.

Access to the tunnel is owned by a local landowner. Who has already legally blocked motor vehicle access to what was Queensbury Station.

 

[classic33]

Can the lobbying be increased with national heritage trail groups/ Tourist Board to get the tunnel transferred?

One of the councils, Calderdale, isn't keen on having it reopened. Despite having had a route from the exit* on the Calderdale end drawn up.

*The exit is still in Bradford, but less than 50 yards from the borough boundary.

 

[Archie_tect]

Mind you- the Tyne Pedestrian tunnel is a lonely place on your own- imagine doing that one on your own!

 

[mjr]

Access to the tunnel is owned by a local landowner. Who has already legally blocked motor vehicle access to what was Queensbury Station.

Nothing is insurmountable if governments were willing to use compulsory purchase powers to create important cycleways. Alas, for now, that power is used for motorways and not cycleways.

 

[classic33]

Nothing is insurmountable if governments were willing to use compulsory purchase powers to create important cycleways. Alas, for now, that power is used for motorways and not cycleways.

Landowner didn't agree with what they were doing in filling in the tunnel. He's also the landowner of the route going North out of the station.

 

[T4tomo]

It's also a very long and deep tunnel and was prone to water ingress down the air vents when operating as a railway tunnel, and icicle build up and detachment in winter so nothing is straightforward. That said the actions of the DoT have been shocking. They should never be made in charge of these historical assets.

 

[classic33]

Shaft 3 was struck, and damaged by lightning. Allowing water into the tunnel from Queensbury, above. The original drain down from the tunnel requires clearing and cleaning. Water would then be flowing away from the tunnel, much as it did before.

The big problem now is that the tunnel has been filled in from shaft two. Some 20,000 tons of hardcore was pored down this shaft. Tunnel is effectively blocked from shaft two, which is closer to the northern end of the tunnel.