New tunnel under the buildings of Bates and Co., Huddersfield, and deepened channel downstream. Scheme started in November 1999 and completed in April 2001.
The photograph shows the view from the canal towpath at the University side of the blockage at Bates and Co, spinners. The 1980's building facing Queen Street South is constructed on piles which have been set at intervals which allow the construction of the canal through a tunnel at a lower level. This involves building a new Lock 2E upstream of Bates Mill and the creation of a deepened channel downstream of Queen Street Bridge.
In early 2000, Yorkshire Water completed diverting a sewer in Queen Street South to take it under the new canal channel. Behind the mill facade work has been underway on the tunnel construction. This has involved constructing reinforced concrete piles through the teasing shed floor using the piling rig shown in this photograph.
The piling rig is here shown emerging from the teasing shed into a small yard. The wall has since been rebuilt and the teasing shed handed back to Bates and Co.
This picture shows early progress on excavating for new Lock 2E within a temporary cofferdam in the section of canal immediately upstream of Bates and Co.
The new relocated lock 2E upstream of Bates and Co. complete with gates. This is situated in a section of canal inaccessible to the public. The pound upstream has been dredged up to the start of the Sellers section at Chapel Hill in the distance.
Queen Street South Bridge was revealed from the works under the Bates carding shed. Here a tripod drilling rig is being used to construct two lines of concrete piles which will act as the walls to the future canal tunnel.
With the new canal under Bates being fully 3 metres below its original level, Queen Street Bridge has had to be underpinned. Here jet grouting of the abutments is under way.
This shows the reinstated yard and door to the Bates and Co teasing shed. The canal tunnel was being excavated under this very point at the time the photo was taken.
The landing stage under construction at the downstream end of the new lock 2E. The building behind houses the teasing equipment. The new tunnel portal is visible along with the narrow gauge railway used to remove spoil.
View from inside the tunnel under Bates and Co. looking upstream. The pipes are used for ventilation in what constitutes a 'confined working space'. The bare concrete piles are visible along each wall. The tunnel excavation was completed in mid July 2000.
View of the entrance to Bates tunnel from the new deepened canal channel under Queen St South bridge. The exposed rock on the right hand side has been stabilised by pressure grouting and will be faced with a stone wall. The new concrete wall on the left will receive stone facings in keeping with the Grade II listed structure above.
Compare this view with the one at the top. The new deepened channel has been constructed on the approach to Bates Mill and temporary staging has been erected to enable the reinforced concrete capping beams to be formed along the top of the sheet piles.
The deepened channel downstream of Queen Street South bridge with the original lock in the distance. The lock will be retained as a feature, with boats travelling through at the lower pound level. The sheet piles are permanent and the temporary props will be replaced by permanent ones in due course. The concrete base is being cast in bays.
The same section in February 2001 with the temporary props removed and new permanent cylindrical struts in place.
Not so much 'Castles' as 'Bridges in the Air'. Queen street South bridge has a decidedly elevated aspect with construction of the deepend channel which will allow boaters to cruise through the tunnel under Bates and Co.
May 1st, Huddersfield. The Mayor of Kirklees, Councillor Ann Denham, aboard her boat 'Ogley', cuts the ribbon at the approach to Bates and Co.
