Canoeists make history at longest and highest canal tunnel in UK

ITV's Correspondent Mel Barham reports on the history makers at the Standedge canal tunnel

History has been made as a group of watersports fans took part in the first ever guided canoe tour through the longest and highest canal tunnel in the UK.

The "paddle under the Pennines" goes through the Standedge Tunnel which runs for three and a half miles between Diggle in Greater Manchester and Marsden in West Yorkshire.

The first canoeists took part on Friday 28 June, in what is described as a "bucket list opportunity".

The canal, which took more than 17 years to dig by hand and was completed in 1811, is described as one of the seven wonders of Britain’s waterways.

The Canal and River Trust says this is a 'bucket list' opportunity Credit: Canal and River Trust

Gordon McMinn, from Canal & River Trust charity is leading trips through the tunnel.

Mr McMinn, volunteer team leader and qualified paddle sports instructor, said: "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for keen canoeists to paddle though this magnificent tunnel and explore its three and a half miles.

"It will give participants a real sense of this remarkable tunnel, one of the seven wonders of the waterways, which is steeped in history. The trips just emphasise that life’s better by – or in this case on – water."

There will be 18 paddle trips in total over nine days in June, July and August.

Each trip, which takes approximately two hours, will be one-way only, from either Marsden to Diggle, or Diggle to Marsden.

Participants will use Canal & River Trust’s open canoes and the cost of the trips will be £100 for two people in a tandem canoe or £55 for a solo paddler.

The charity is hoping the cash raised from trips will help to keep the nation's canal network maintained.

The first canoeists emerge from the tunnel Credit: ITV news/ Mel Barham

The limited places are bookable on canalrivertrust.org.uk.

Sean McGinley, regional director for Yorkshire and the North East at Canal & River Trust, said: "We’re excited to launch a new chapter in the history of Standedge Tunnel, a real wonder of the waterways.

"This experience is one of the many ways people can help support our work, contributing to the vital funds needed to help us maintain our 2,000-mile network of canals and assets, while discovering this amazing treasure under the Pennines."

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