Put phone on lock for story of waterways wonder

Dubbed “one of the seven wonders of the waterways”, there is little at the site 200 years later to recognise the significance of the engineering masterpiece.

But that is about to change thanks to an innovative new phone app – the first of its kind on the nation’s canal network.

The story of the Leeds & Liverpool Canal between the famous landmark and the World Heritage Site at Saltaire has been developed as a free app which it is hoped will appeal to a new generation of visitors to the Yorkshire beauty spot.

Created by the Canal & River Trust together with the local community, the app was launched at a public open day at Bingley Five Rise Locks on Saturday.

Steve Higham, enterprise manager for the Canal & River Trust, said: “By using 21st century technology, we’re able to bring the story of this 18th century engineering marvel to life. It’s an additional way of introducing more people to the canal that’s on their doorstep.

“We have gone from traditional technology to new technology with the app to educate people about the canal and why it was so important to local history. It was one of the backbones of the industrial revolution and it enabled us to transport goods around the country. All the West Yorkshire towns prospered because of the canal. The original Bradford canal has disappeared now but it was a branch canal off the Leeds & Liverpool Canal which went into Bradford city centre.

“The younger generation love all the digital technology. And interpretation panels can be perceived to be a bit stuffy and a bit formal. It is a modern alternative to that. We want to encourage people to download it before they go on site so they can make the most of it.”

In addition to charting the history of the canal, which bought prosperity to the region, the new app highlights today’s waterway wildlife and tourism that flourishes on the canal.

Its walking trail between Bingley and Saltaire will direct visitors to the nearest cafes, pubs and public transport links to and from the canal.

It also links to a new QR code trail which allows smart phone users to scan in a code and access information about the specific points of interest along the trail which tells the story of the people and characters who have worked on the canal, including during its freight-carrying days, through photos, animations and interviews.

The animations were developed in partnership with local schools, including Crossflatts Primary School, and show how the celebrated Grade I Listed Bingley Five Rise Locks work and how they’ve changed over time. The app also includes a geocaching trail aimed at schools and families.

Bingley is the only Grade I listed lock flight in the country, identifying it as of international importance. Its locks raise the Leeds & Liverpool Canal by 60ft via the steepest staircase lock flight in Britain.

Mr Higham said: “The locks were designed by a chap called John Longbotham from Halifax. What’s special about him is that he was the first engineer when they built the Leeds & Liverpool Canal.

“Most of the goods transported on the canal were limestone, coal, textiles from the mills. There was wool from Australia, mohair from alpaca fleece from South America and wheat from America.”

Interpretation panels with specially commissioned watercolour drawings that tell the story of the locks and a colour leaflet have also been produced.

The new interpretation changes the fact that there has been nothing on site to recognise the fact that the locks are considered one of the seven wonders of the waterways.

Volunteers from the Canal & River Trust will now take the app and information about the new interpretation trail into local schools. Posters promoting the site are being distributed across Yorkshire.