Page updated 7 September 2004 

The Calder and Hebble Navigation
Rochdale and Huddersfield Broad Canals

Calder and Hebble Navigation

General

Calder and Hebble Handspikes N97#5p18#5p41#5p42 N2k#5p18#5p41#5p42

On p18, Navigational Note 2 states that a piece of 3" x 2" hardwood will do just as well as a handspike for the Calder & Hebble. However, wood of this size will not fit, as it needs to be tapered to about 2¼" by 1¾" at the operating end to fit into the handspike gear.

On p42, the first sentence of the main text says of Thornes Lock "you will need a Calder & Hebble 'handspike' to operate this, and subsequent locks".  This is a simplification.  The following details should, perhaps, be placed in the blue panel on p41.

Only Ledgard Flood Lock has bottom paddles with handspike-only operation.  All others can be drained using a windlass.

The following cannot be filled without a Handspike:

• Ledgard Flood
• Kirklees Lower
• Cromwell
• Park Nook
• Salterhebble Top

The following have top handspike ground paddles, making ascent difficult without a spike.

• Millbank
• Thornhill Top
• Shepley Bridge
• Kirklees Lower
• Elland
• Salterhebble Middle

Fall Ing Lock

Aire and Calder Navigation

Broadcut Locks N97#5p43 N2k#5p43 P98PW#24

The correct BW names for the two "Broad Cut Locks" are Broadcut Low and Broadcut High.

There is a water point by the top of Broadcut Low Lock on the towpath side.

Thornhill Junction

Dewsbury Arm (No Updates)

Shepley Bridge Lock N97#5p45 N2k#5p45 N03#5p45

The lock is rather short and a bit of a squeeze for a 60ft boat.

Shepley Bridge Marina N97#5p45 N2k#5p45 N03#5p44

The marina is closed on Mondays.

Cooper Bridge Junction

Huddersfield Broad Canal

Kirklees Low Lock N97#5p47 N2k#5p47 N03#5p44

Care must be taken when ascending all locks (particularly Kirklees Low lock) to avoid trapping tiller arms below the platforms which extend over the locks from the lower gates.

Brighouse Basin N97#5p47

There's a missing Boatyard symbol, for Sagar Marine, between the locks in Brighouse.

Brighouse N97#5p47 N2k#5p47

The town now has a railway station!

The towpath is on the southern bank between the two Brighouse Locks. (The main text (p46 l2) says the moorings are "good" between the two Brighouse Locks, but this is questionable.)

There's a missing winding hole just to the west of Bridge 10.

Elland N97#5p47 N2k#5p47

The Barge and Barrel does not do evening meals.  It appears that there are no pubs that do offer evening meals in Elland.

The China Palace does offer both eat in and take away:
Mon - Thurs 6pm-11pm,  Fri - Sat 6pm-1 am,  Sun 1pm-11pm

Bridges 4-5 N97#5p46 N2k#5p46

Although the map in the 2000 edition shows the towpath on the northern bank between these bridges a subsequent report, updating the 1997 edition, states:

The towpath is on the northern bank between Elland Basin and Woodside Mills Lock; in fact the towpath changes sides at the east end of Elland Wharf Basin. There is no obvious way to change sides, unless one can walk on water!

Salterhebble Locks N97#5p46 N2k#5p46 N03#5p46

The top two locks are a bit of a squeeze for a 60ft boat.

Salterhebble Junction

Halifax Arm (No Updates)
(Note:  Shown as Salterhebble Branch in Nicholson and Halifax Branch in Pearson. Local signposts, however, are marked as Halifax Arm.)

Salterhebble Locks N97#5p46 N2k#5p46

It is possible to wind at the top of the locks.

Sowerby Bridge

Sowerby Bridge N97#5p49 N2k#5p49 N03#5p49

It is possible to wind in Sowerby Bridge Basin at the end of the short arm. (As suggested in the text about Shire Cruisers, on p48, the symbols for the facilities are placed misleadingly on the map.)

The Moorings stops serving food at 8:00pm

The William IV:  In July 2000 the kitchen was being refitted.  A report suggests that it may be some time before food is served again, if at all.

The Navigation Inn:  In July 2000 this pub had a chalk sign on a Blackboard outside saying no food after 6.00 pm.  It was a Sunday so that might be the reason but enquiry inside produced no elaboration.

Sowerby Bridge Junction N97#5p49 N2k#5p49

It is possible to wind at the junction with the Rochdale Canal.

Rochdale Canal

Sowerby Bridge Junction

Tuel Lane Deep Lock N97#5p49#5p151 N2k#5p49#5p151 N03#5p49#5p171

Enquiries about opening times of Tuel Lane Lock should be made to the Warrington Office (01925 847700). To book passage through the Summit section, and through the "Manchester 18" (Locks 66-83) telephone 01925 847725.

The winding hole, immediately to the west of the lock, (only shown in an inset in some cases) is too short to allow a 60ft boat to turn (a 53ft boat can).

Luddenden Foot N97#5p153 N2k#5p153

Solo's Indian Restaurant (Listed in the 2000 edition, Tel: 01422 886640, above the Old Brandy Wine, in Station Road) is now a Chinese Restaurant.

Bridge 14 N97#5p150 N2k#5p150

The bridge is actually a tunnel with a bend in it.

Hebden Bridge Sanitary Station N97#5p150 N2k#5p150 N03#5p167

The Sanitary Station (shown on the south bank) is on the north bank. BW state they are no longer collecting refuse from this disposal point due to "abuse of the facility". Water is still available.

Bridge 29 N97#5p155 N2k#5p155

Baltimore Marina is a private residential marina and doesn't offer overnight mooring unless there's a, rarely available, open spot. However, there is electricity hook up, locked gates and easy access to the town.

Just opposite the marina on the towpath is very safe and quiet with easy access to the town too.

Walsden N97#5p158 N2k#5p158

The section on the village doesn't specifically mention Ma Pollard's chippy. It's reported as "well worth the stop" but neither opens late evenings (until 8:00pm on Wed-Fri) nor at weekends.

Lock 39 N97#5p158 N2k#5p158 N03#5p164

The lock is where Lock 40 is shown on map.

Lock 40 N97#5p158 N2k#5p158 N03#5p164

the lock is directly north of Bridge R2

Littleborough

Lock 48 N97#5p159 N2k#5p159

Close to the recommended moorings below the lock is the excellent Red Lion Hotel, (01706 378195).  It serves Phoenix (£1.19 per pint, September 2002) plus several guest ales.

Bridge R9 N97#5p159

the Winding Hole south of the bridge is no longer the head of navigation. Passage is now possible to Ducie Street Junction, but this length is not covered other than in the 2003 edition of Nicholson.

Edinburgh Way Tunnel N03#5p162

The line of the Edinburgh Way tunnel is incorrect. From Barrels Bridge it runs north, east of the A627M then directly crosses the roundabout. The towpath diversion is correct.

Lock 54 N03#5p161

A possible mooring point is above the lock. The Hopwood Arms has been recommended for food and also a decent pint.

Chadderton Bridge N03#5p161

A relatively safe overnight mooring can be made at the Rose of Lancaster, north of the bridge. In order to meet the BW escort at Lock 65 at 8:30am you must set off from these moorings at 7:00 latest.

The Boat and Horses has been suggested as a mooring place, but another report said, "The Boat and Horses isn't safe".

White Gate Bridge N03#5p161

Similar, opposing, reports as that for Chadderton Bridge have been received

Lock 66 N03#5p158-159

Assistance is currently provided when navigating the "Rochdale 18" down to Ducie Street Junction.

Lock 67 N03#5p159

There is a Morrisons store north of the lock at Poplar Street.

Ducie Street Junction

Ashton Canal

Lock 84 N97#5p31 N2k#5p31 N03#5p31p154p158

There is a secure mooring pontoon at the top of the "Rochdale 9", immediately above the lock.  Access by BW Key.

Locks 84-92 N97#5p31 N2k#5p31

The "Rochdale Nine", the locks between Ducie Street and Castlefield Junctions, are hard-going, particularly after heavy rain.

Castlefield Junction

Bridgewater Canal

Huddersfield Broad Canal

Cooper Bridge Junction

Calder and Hebble Navigation

General

Maximum Dimensions N97#5p41 N2k#5p41

As the blue panel says, a 60ft narrowboat can pass up through the locks of the Huddersfield Broad Canal.  However, fenders may need to be lifted.  Lock 6 is the tightest.  The Calder and Hebble is comparatively easy.

Huddersfield

NOTE: The guides indicate a Head of Navigation. However, a full guide to the Huddersfield Narrow Canal is available in a special section of this site. (Direct link to Huddersfield.)