Through trips for the public

The more adventurous may like to consider a trip right through the 3 ¼ mile tunnel. Through trips operate on Wednesdays and Fridays and last approximately 3 hours. You’ll travel through the tunnel in the passenger module with the crews of boats being towed through the tunnel. When you reach the other side, why not take a walk back ‘over the top’ to Standedge.

One way tickets cost £10.00 and are available by pre-booking three days in advance by telephoning 0113 281 6860 or emailing enquiries.yorkshire@britishwaterways.co.uk .

Through trips for boaters

To book passage please call the British Waterways Business Support Team on 0113 281 6860. Please allow as much time to book as possible passage as places are limited. Please have your boat details ready when booking passage.

Running on Wednesdays and Fridays, boats are towed through in short convoys by electric tugs (boaters are not allowed to take a boat through under its own power). Crew members from these boats ride through the tunnel in the passenger module.

There are measurement restrictions on boats passing through Standedge Tunnel. Boats over 6' 10" wide, over 70ft long, 6’ 2” above water and 3ft below water are not allowed into the tunnel. Full tunnel passage is unsuitable, and therefore not available, for people with physical disabilities which would prevent them from disembarking the passenger tug unaided as there is a ladder which needs to be climbed. A taxi can be booked for those who are unable to go through the tunnel (including pets). Please speak to tunnel staff upon arrival and arrangements will be made for you. It is the boaters responsibility to transport pets over the top of the tunnel.

We will try to protect your boat using our trained pilots by use of fixed fenders and rubber matting. However, due to the tunnels narrow construction and rough rock surface, it is possible that your boat may sustain some damage during passage for which British Waterways can not be held liable.

Times of passage
Passage must be booked at least 3 days in advance.

For Marsden to Diggle you must be at lock 32E by 1pm the day before through passage.
For Diggle to Marsden you must be at lock 24W for 8am on the day of through passage.