Waterfront canal project underway

Work is currently taking place on the project which is part of the major Waterfront Quarter regeneration scheme, set to breathe new life into the area.

The gates are for a new lock which is being built on the Huddersfield Narrow Canal, at Chapel Hill, which will form part of works to lift water in the canal which previously ran in a tunnel beneath Sellers Engineers Ltd.

Improvements have been arranged by Kirklees Council under licence from British Waterways and will also include a new landing stage and passing place for boats.

It is envisaged that the canal works will be completed by the end of March.

Coun Peter McBride, the council’s cabinet member for regeneration, said last night: “The work taking place on the canal will enhance The Waterfront scheme as a whole by improving the environment and enhancing the look and feel of the area, and help to attract developers and occupiers to the site.”

The new lock gates have been built by Hargreaves Lock Gates, of Halifax, to a design by British Waterways and the main contractor for the canal works is Clugston Construction Ltd, of Leeds.

The gates are being put in place by Hargreaves.

The improved canal will form the centrepiece of future commercial development at The Waterfront and is a joint project between the council and the former regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward.

The Waterfront scheme covers 1.3 hectares and has outline planning permission for buildings with a total floor space of up to 18,100sq m including offices, retail units and a crèche.

It is the site for a new campus for Kirklees College. Work is underway on the multi-million pound building which will be a new home for the college.