The Rochdale Canal from Lock 2 to Bridge 1A

On Sunday, April 10, 2022, I took a walk along a fascinating section of the Rochdale Canal in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire. This stretch, running from Lock 2 to Bridge 1A, is a remarkable example of industrial heritage and engineering. It's an interesting walk, full of history and some unique features that really tell the story of this once-vital waterway.

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The Start of the Journey: Lock 2 and Christ Church

I began my walk at Lock 2. From here, you can look back along the canal, with the old warehouse buildings casting a long shadow on the still water. . This spot gives you a real sense of the canal's scale and its importance to the local industry. Looking the other way, the canal gently curves towards Sowerby Bridge, and in the distance, you can see the distinctive clock tower of Christ Church, Sowerby Bridge. . The church stands as a prominent landmark, watching over the canal.

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Tuel Lane Lock and the Tunnel

The most dramatic part of this walk is undoubtedly the approach to and passage through Tuel Lane Lock and Tuel Lane Tunnel. The lock itself is an impressive sight, a huge, deep chamber that is actually the deepest canal lock in the UK, at 20 feet (6.1 meters). . This immense depth was achieved by combining two old locks into a single one during restoration. The sheer scale of it is astonishing, and you can see the sturdy wooden gates and the intricate brickwork up close. .

The canal then disappears into the darkness of the Tuel Lane Tunnel. . Unlike most canal tunnels, which are long and go through hills, this one is quite short. It was built to bypass a road and a busy junction when the canal was reopened. It's a surreal experience to see the water simply vanish into the hillside, only to re-emerge a short distance away.

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The Final Stretch

As you walk alongside the lock and beyond the tunnel, the path continues towards Bridge 1A. This area is quite tranquil, a peaceful waterside path with the old buildings and greenery of Sowerby Bridge visible on either side. You can still see the last remaining bits of old infrastructure from the canal's working days, and it’s a great way to appreciate the town’s rich past.

This short but sweet section of the Rochdale Canal is a must-see for anyone interested in industrial history or a pleasant canal side walk. The combination of historic buildings, clever engineering, and serene scenery makes for a perfect Sunday stroll.

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The original Wharf Street bridge can just be seen inside the tunnel.

The former Jolly Sailor Pub (closed 1939). The Building was once the caretakers residence
for Lock Hill Mills. The part of the mill that stood alongside was demolished
in the late 1990's, the red brick part of Lock Hill Mills still stands on the southern bank
of the River Calder. The Jolly Sailor is now a set of apartments.

The canal pictured from Wharf Street in the direction of Lock 2. The building to the left
is the Roxy a local nightspot thats started life as the Electric Cinema around the time
of World War 1. The cinema closed in 1963 and became a bingo and cafe, before eventually
becoming a nightclub - bar.

A view of Tuel Lane Lock and Christ Church Tower. I was just trying to get a different angle
of the lock and down in to the tunnel, taken from the LIDL supermarket car park.

Tuel Lane Tunnel entrance in to the lock.

Tuel Lane Lock, which is lock 3/4 on the Rochdale Canal replaced 2 locks on this
section of canal, lock 4 would have been just behind where I am stood, lock 3 was on the bend inside
the tunnel just in front of the church tower. These were infilled along with this section of canal after
closure in 1952. This was a car park with a disused theatre to my right when I was growing up 

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Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel: A Deep Dive into Rochdale Canal's History

Nestled near the starting point of the Rochdale Canal in Sowerby Bridge, West Yorkshire, lies an impressive feat of engineering: Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel. Opened in May 1996, this lock isn't just a vital part of the canal's navigation; it's also the deepest lock in the entire United Kingdom, boasting an astounding fall of 19 feet 8 inches!

But the story of Tuel Lane goes much deeper than its modern marvel. Originally, the canal flowed beneath a charming canal bridge, still visible just inside the mouth of the present-day Tuel Lane Tunnel. From there, it continued openly to Lock 3, situated alongside Christ Church and the local pub where Tuel Lane Road and the car park entrance now meet. Lock 4 was then located between this original lock and Bridge 1a at Tower Hill.

Sadly, these earlier sections of the canal and its locks were lost sometime in the 1940s or 50s. Tuel Lane was diverted and widened to its current configuration, and the canal and its locks were infilled to create the car park we see today.

Thankfully, the dream of a fully restored Rochdale Canal never truly faded. The formation of the Rochdale Canal Society in 1974 brought the canal's future into sharper focus. A pivotal 1991 report highlighting the benefits of restoration eventually led to a significant grant of £2.5 million from derelict land grants, paving the way for the reopening of Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel.

For those eager to delve further into the history of this remarkable section of the canal, I highly recommend checking out my previous blog post from November 19, 2017. That post features a fascinating collection of pictures of the lock, canal, and tunnel from before their closure and prior to their reopening. These images, though not my own and credited where possible to the copyright holder, offer an incredible glimpse into the canal's past.

The pictures accompanying this post, however, are my own, captured in June 2014 using a Polaroid is2132 bridge camera. They showcase the section of the Rochdale Canal between Bridge 1a Tower Hill and Lock 2, passing by the impressive Tuel Lane Tunnel and Lock. I hope they inspire you to explore this historically rich and visually stunning part of our local waterways!

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Rochdale Canal towards Tuel Lane Lock and Tunnel, pictured from
under Bridge 1a Tower Hill.

The Rochdale Canal close to where Lock 4 was
originally sighted.

Tuel Lane Lock

Rochdale Canal away from Tuel Lane Lock towards Bridge 1a
Tower Hill. Lock 4 was sighted somewhere along this stretch.

Tuel Lane Lock, the lock keepers office is sighted to the right
of the picture.

Tuel Lane Tunnel looking down from the lock.

The lock gates give an idea of the depth of the lock.

Tuel Lane Tunnel from the other side, the original bridge that 
carried Wharf Street is just inside the tunnel mouth and the 
same shape and style as it's modern entrance.

Lock 2 towards Tuel Lane Tunnel entrance.

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Todmorden's Unique Guillotine Lock

Nestled near the heart of Todmorden, adjacent to the Golden Lion Bridge (Bridge 30), lies Lock 19 on the Rochdale Canal. This distinctive lock, often referred to as Todmorden Lock or even Library Lock, holds a fascinating secret: it's a guillotine lock.

What makes it a guillotine lock? Unlike traditional canal locks with swinging gates, the eastern gates of Lock 19 were replaced with a guillotine mechanism. This unusual modification was necessary due to their close proximity to the bridge, making conventional gates impractical.

Here are some glimpses of this unique piece of engineering:

The first three pictures, captured on July 11, 2020, showcase the lock in recent times. You can see the intricate workings of the guillotine gate and its seamless integration with the surrounding canal architecture.

For a different perspective, an additional image from November 9, 2013, offers a view eastwards, clearly illustrating the guillotine lock and the adjacent bridge. It's a testament to the enduring presence of this historical waterway feature.

Lock 19 is more than just a functional part of the Rochdale Canal; it's a small but significant piece of engineering history, reflecting the adaptive solutions employed to navigate the challenges of canal construction. Next time you're in Todmorden, take a moment to appreciate this unique lock!

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The following picture is the November 2013 image of the lock, it was taken using a Samsung Galaxy tablet,

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Unexpected Waterfalls and Canal Charms: Woodside Mill Lock's Hidden Display

Sometimes, the most captivating sights are found in the everyday, along well-trodden paths. On a recent stroll along the tranquil canal towpath connecting Elland to Salterhebble, I encountered a delightful, albeit temporary, spectacle at Woodside Mill Lock. This particular lock, a familiar landmark on my regular walks, usually presents its characteristic trickle of water cascading over the lower gate – a gentle reminder of the canal's ever-flowing nature.

However, this time, the scene was dramatically different. The lock, evidently recently used, was in the process of refilling. This resulted in the upper gate becoming a miniature waterfall, a torrent of water rushing over its lip and into the lock chamber. The sheer volume of water, combined with the rhythmic rush, transformed the familiar lock into a captivating display of hydraulic power.

It's a reminder of the intricate engineering that keeps our canals functioning, and how even routine processes can create moments of unexpected beauty. The contrast between the typically serene canal and the forceful flow of water was striking. I paused to capture this fleeting moment, grabbing my Samsung Tablet to record a short video.

The video, which you can view below, showcases the unexpected waterfall in all its glory. The sight and sound of the water, coupled with the peaceful backdrop of the canal, made for a truly memorable experience.

Woodside Mill Lock, like many along our canals, holds a rich history. Once a vital part of the region's industrial backbone, these locks facilitated the transport of goods and raw materials. Today, they serve as a reminder of our industrial heritage and offer a peaceful escape for walkers, cyclists, and nature enthusiasts.

This unexpected encounter with Woodside Mill Lock's 'waterfall' serves as a gentle reminder to appreciate the small moments of beauty that surround us. Whether it's the gentle ripple of the canal or the temporary cascade of water over a lock gate, there's always something new to discover along our waterways.

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