The Bradford Canal History & Virtual Tour

UPDATE - 29th April 2006

With a vast rise in the popularity of canal boating holidays in Britain, volunteers are frantically working around the country to restore derelict canals to their former glory. But unlike many derelict canal projects which have had to deal with built over land - including motorways and office blocks, the 3 1/2 miles of the Bradford Canal was completely filled in, in 1923 - to the relief of Bradford residents, and that of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal company, who previously ended up with the Bradford's stinking water! But why was this the case? Click here for the history of Bradford canal.

By the 1980's the only signs of the canal's existence were the odd bridge along the route and the derelict Spinkwell Lock located near the Gas Works along Canal Road. Within the last 10 years this was finally demolished and the route blocked forever by the building of a car garage to the south of Kings Road. The Bridge carrying Kings Road is still there, and the old route of the canal can be seen north of this passing briefly behind the Gas towers.

Blocked Forever? Not so it seems. On 23rd March 2006 Bradford Council announced as part of their 2012 Vision project that the Bradford Canal was to be reinstated. Enthusiasts have already been getting in on the campaign it's reopening - a company called Bradford Waterways had already developed plans to take the canal along it's old course for a few miles before taking a detour onto the other side of the valley to complete a route back to the city centre. Plans to restore the Bridge and the building at Shipley Junction (shown above to the right of the junction, currently factory space, as a visitors centre whilst the fundraising was taking place would create a new visitor attraction. You can visit their website at www.bradfordwaterways.co.uk

However it seems the council have got together with British Waterways to work on their own plans which involved reinstating the canal completely along the old route all the way to Forster Square where a new wharf would be built. This may be possible as the council own a great deal of the land along the route. Most buildings on the site of the canal appear just to be rented.

 

Consultation opportunities for Bradford Canal restoration project - From yorkshire-foreward.com

Businesses and residents in Bradford have the opportunity to have their say on new plans to reintroduce Bradford Canal to the district later this month. Allowing the canal to be used again and also extending it so that it runs across the district linking areas like Manningham and Airedale to the city centre could attract private sector investment of up to £470 million. The organisations behind the project, Bradford Council, Bradford Centre Regeneration and British Waterways, have come up with proposals looking at the best ways to make it happen and they will be on display from next week. On Thursday March 23rd they will be unveiled at Bradford City Football Club's Valley Parade stadium from 10:00 GMT to 16:00 GMT. There will also be a presentation to members of the Canal Road Business Forum later in the day. The Bradford public can also view and comment on the plans during a three-day exhibition, from Monday March 27th to Wednesday March 29th, at the Design Exchange in Little Germany between 09:00 GMT and 16:00 GMT.Bradford Council's executive member for regeneration and culture, councillor Simon Cooke, said: "The exhibitions will give residents their first chance to see the initial ideas for the canal and an opportunity for them to have their say on this really exciting project." Laurence Morgan, British Waterways' Yorkshire general manager, added: "A restored canal will encourage high quality property developments and provide wonderful recreational opportunities for residents and visitors."

Already there have been developments along the route since this site was drawn up, and I'll try and keep you up to date, so now let's follow the route of the Bradford canal, along it's 3 1/2 miles up the valley to Forster Square following the Bradford Beck along the way.

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