Oldham attraction among ten new 'Marvels of the Modern Waterways' to mark 10th anniversary

Standedge Tunnel, Britain’s longest, deepest and highest canal tunnel near Oldham, and Anderton Boat Lift, the world’s first boat lift, in Northwich, are featured in a new top ten national Marvels of the Modern Waterways, announced by the Canal and River Trust today (Tuesday) to mark its tenth anniversary.

They join the soaring Pontcysyllte Aqueduct in North Wales, Bingley Five Rise Locks in Yorkshire and six other remarkable landmarks as chosen by Britain’s boaters and canal supporters to celebrate the renaissance of the nation’s 200-year-old canal network and a decade of being looked after by the charitable sector.

Some of these engineering masterpieces have, for over 70 years, been recognised as spectacular examples of the nation’s industrial heritage.

These are joined by new additions, such as Little Venice in London and the longest staircase flight of locks in Britain at Foxton in Leicestershire, reflecting both the increasing importance of the waterways as vibrant green spaces in the nation’s towns and cities and their longstanding value in providing popular, accessible beauty spots across the country.

Standedge Tunnel carries the Huddersfield Narrow Canal under the Pennines from Diggle to Marsden in West Yorkshire.

The poll was run by the Canal and River Trust charity which took over the care of the nation’s waterways a decade ago in the biggest ever transfer of publicly owned heritage into the charitable sector.

Richard Parry, chief executive at Canal and River Trust, said: “Having served as the arteries that fuelled the Industrial Revolution 200 years ago, today the canal network across England and Wales is busier than ever with boats navigating this unique living heritage.

"The list of must-see spots the public has chosen showcases the breadth of what the waterways have to offer, from stunning feats of engineering to the growing role canals have as beautiful places to spend time and reap the health and wellbeing benefits of being by the water.

"Locks feature highly in the list, and the simple pleasure of gongoozling – watching the boats go by – is an antidote to the hectic pace of modern life.

"And this barely scratches the surface: with waterways offering free, accessible blue and green space on the doorstep of millions, everyone can find their own special place.

“The creation of the Canal and River Trust ten years ago has been a great achievement, putting the waterways in trust for the nation and continuing the renaissance of this wonderful living heritage that is the finest of its type in the world.

"The latest chapter in the story is only just underway and brings its own challenges, with the 250-year-old canals vulnerable to changing weather patterns.

"We are calling on the public and the government to continue to support the waterways so we can continue to protect and preserve this incredible network and avert the decline we saw last century.

“We hope that people will come out and see these magnificent sites and join us in celebrating hundreds of years of canals playing a vital role in British society and the ways they can continue to serve society in the future.”

Canals are an intrinsic part of the nation’s landscape with the quintessentially British sight of a narrowboat, lock or a humpback bridge familiar to anyone in towns or countryside alike.

Once the arteries of the Industrial Revolution, busy with boats carrying goods like coal, steel, porcelain and food, they now play an equally important role in society as green corridors that bring nature into cities, improving community wellbeing and tackling health inequalities, as well as supporting jobs and local economies.

Today, as well as being visited by around 10 million people every fortnight, the Canal and River Trust’s waterways are used by around 35,000 boats for pleasure, for work, and as homes, with boaters navigating the 200-year-old network in the same way as their predecessors.

The Canal and River Trust is committed to maintain the waterways in its care since it was formed in 2012.

The past decade since the Canal and River Trust’s launch has seen a generational change in the number of people volunteering on the canals, donating money and giving their support, with over a million people supporting the charity’s work.

This summer, volunteers will donate their five millionth hour to the Canal and River Trust.

For more details of how to volunteer, donate or enjoy boat trips, click here

---

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something going on in and around Oldham? Let us know by emailing news@oldham-chronicle.co.uk , calling our Oldham-based newsroom on 0161 633 2121 , tweeting us @oldhamchronicle or messaging us through our Facebook page. All contact will be treated in confidence.