Exploring the Calder and Hebble Navigation: Ravensthorpe to Mirfield

The Calder and Hebble Navigation is a living testament to Britain's industrial past, a 21.5-mile waterway that has never truly fallen silent. Connecting Sowerby Bridge with Wakefield, this canal, which opened in 1770, was a vital artery of commerce. While many canals fell into disuse, the Calder and Hebble remained a working waterway, with commercial traffic continuing until as late as 1981. Today, thanks to the reopening of key sections like the Tuel Lane lock and tunnel, it's a bustling hub for leisure boaters and walkers.

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A Walk Between Ravensthorpe and Mirfield

My journey along a section of the canal between Ravensthorpe and Mirfield revealed a landscape where nature and industry coexist in beautiful harmony. This stretch is particularly interesting because it alternates between man-made cuttings and sections of the natural River Calder that have been made navigable.

The images from this walk in April 2015 perfectly capture the canal's character. You can see the robust stone bridges like Greenwood Cut End Bridge and Wheatley Bridge, which have withstood the test of time, silently watching over the water. The canal path winds alongside the water, offering peaceful views of the barges, both modern and old, that call the Shepley Bridge Marina home.

The journey also takes you past impressive features like the Weir on the River Calder near Ravensthorpe, where the powerful water flow is a reminder of the river's original strength before it was tamed for navigation.

The walk culminates near Bull Bridge, a final, impressive stone structure that stands as a gateway to the town of Mirfield. This stretch of the Calder and Hebble Navigation is a microcosm of its entire history: a blend of peaceful natural beauty, enduring engineering, and a constant, quiet flow of life on the water.

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This was taken just past Ravensthorpe Bridge looking in the direction of Mirfield. The navigation is on the River Calder at the moment.

The canal is still on the River Calder, the lock seen in the middle of the picture is Greenwood Lock. The lock allows traffic to leave the river section and enter Greenwood Cut.

This agian shows part of the River Calder section of the navigation, Greenwood cut is just off picture to the left.

This weir can be found at the top of Greenwood Cut End just before Shepley Bridge Marina. The canal ane river are a joint navigation for a short spur here. 

Shepley Bridge. This section of the navigation is a river and canal joint bit, the canal bears off through Shepley Lockseen near the centre of the picture underneath the bridge. The River Calder continuing beyond.

Shepley Bridge Marina, Nr Mirfield.

Shepley Bridge Marina and Lock.

Wheatley Bridge, Mirfield.

The abutments above and below used to carry the Mirfield to Low Moor Railway (Cleckheaton Branch) over the canal. The line closed in 1965 along this stretch.

Gill Bridge, Mirfield. Just saw the 2 lads fishing and quietly letting the day pass buy. I took the picture as it reminded me of my youth and attempt at fishing, I quickly learnt it's not a hobby for me.

The Calder and Hebble at Mirfield.

Bull Bridge, Mirfield.

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Discover the Spen Valley Greenway. Low Moor to the M62.

Imagine a tranquil, traffic-free path winding through the heart of West Yorkshire, connecting Low Moor to Ravensthorpe. This is the Spen Valley Greenway, an 8-mile haven for cyclists and pedestrians, tracing the forgotten routes of the old Spen Valley Railway and Ravensthorpe Branch Lines.

Opened in 2000, just two years after Sustrans acquired the disused track bed, the Greenway isn't just a path; it's a living museum. As you journey through towns like Cleckheaton, Heckmondwike, and Liversedge, you'll discover more than just picturesque scenery. Keep an eye out for tell-tale railway signposts and unique ornamental benches – subtle nods to the line's industrial past. But the true gems are the scattered artworks that surprise and delight: spot Sally Matthews' charming flock of Swaledale sheep and the intriguing form of Trudi Entwistle's "Rotate."

One of the Greenway's greatest appeals is its accessibility. It's blissfully traffic-free and remarkably flat, with only gentle slopes to keep things interesting. And for those mid-journey refreshment breaks, convenience is key! You'll find a Tesco right alongside the former Cleckheaton Station site, and a Morrison's just a short walk from what was once Heckmondwike Station.

So, whether you're a keen cyclist, a leisurely stroller, or simply looking for a peaceful escape, the Spen Valley Greenway offers a unique blend of nature, history, and art.

The following is a short video I put together of the pictures I took along the line, it includes images of the station sites whilst still operational.

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From Rails to Trails: The Spen Valley Greenway's Storied Past

Before it became the beloved Spen Valley Greenway, a pleasant tarmacked route for cyclists and pedestrians, this peaceful stretch of land had a bustling past as the Mirfield and Low Moor Railway. This double-track line opened in two stages: first, from Low Moor to Mirfield on July 18, 1848, followed by the Ravensthorpe Branch, connecting Thornhill with Heckmondwike, on June 1, 1849.

At its peak, the line boasted eight stations. Along the main Mirfield route, travellers could alight at Low Moor, Cleckheaton Central, Liversedge Central, Heckmondwike Central, and then, after the split, Northorpe North Road and Mirfield. The Ravensthorpe Branch served Ravensthorpe Lower and Thornhill. The railway hummed with activity until passenger services were withdrawn in July 1965, with goods traffic finally ceasing in the late 1980s.

A Future on the Horizon? Reopening the Spen Valley Line

Today, whispers of the past are growing louder. Small but passionate campaigns are advocating for the reopening of the line, a seemingly straightforward, albeit potentially expensive, endeavour given that much of the track bed remains clear and undeveloped.

The argument for reinstatement is compelling: over 50,000 people reside along the Spen Valley route with limited access to rail services without lengthy commutes. Competing proposals envision both heavy rail and light rail solutions, each offering a different vision for reconnecting these communities. Could the former Mirfield and Low Moor Railway once again carry passengers, transforming the region's connectivity

The following pictures are taken on the route from Low Moor to the M62 Motorway Bridge at Chain Bar. They were taken on the 30th December 2019 with a Nikon d3300.

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Ravensthorpe Station: A Quiet Enigma on the Huddersfield Line

Tucked away between Mirfield and Dewsbury in West Yorkshire lies Ravensthorpe Railway Station, a small suburban stop on the Huddersfield Line. With just 35,342 passengers in 2018-19 (around 680 people per week), it's fair to say Ravensthorpe is far from a bustling hub. You can't help but wonder if its fortunes would change dramatically with the addition of platforms serving the lines towards Wakefield, which conveniently branch off just before the station.

A Glimpse into the Past

Opened in 1890, this was actually the second station to serve the Ravensthorpe area. The first, on the Ravensthorpe branch of the Spen Valley Line, opened in 1869 but closed its doors in 1962. The current station was built with a keen eye on freight, featuring a goods shed added 42 years after the line's opening. It also boasted rather grand station buildings, which were listed for preservation before a fire led to their demolition and replacement with the basic shelters you see today.

A Character All Its Own

Ravensthorpe station possesses a unique character that's hard to put your finger on. Logically, its location within an industrial suburb of Dewsbury should give it the feel of a busy commuter stop. Yet, when you're standing on the platforms, there's an undeniable sense of rural calm, almost as if you've stumbled upon a countryside halt. It's this intriguing contrast that makes Ravensthorpe stand out.

Basic, But Functional

As for facilities, Ravensthorpe is no-frills. You'll find limited shelters on both platforms, but no toilets or ticket machines. Information boards and timetables are available, and the station is unstaffed. If you're heading to platform 2, access is via a bridge and steps.

The pictures below were taken on December 30 2019 with a Nikon d3300, Clicking any of them should open a link in another window to my Colin Green Photography store on Zazzle.

The lines to the left of the picture, there has never been a station serving
those line at this location, this may change as there are plans to demolish
and re-site the station just beyond the bridge in the picture, as part of plans to
put 4 tracks along this route.

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