Group backs Queensbury tunnel plans

The 2,501 yards long tunnel, which closed to rail traffic in 1956, is vital to establishing a cycle and walking network across West Yorkshire, according to the chair of the Great Northern Railway Trail Development Group (GNRTDG), Jeff McQuillan.

Highways England, which took on ownership of the tunnel from the former British Railways residuary estates department, is planning to fill it in and seal it up.

Two sections of the Trail, totalling three miles, already link Cullingworth with Harecroft and Thornton with Queensbury and are used by thousands of local people for cycling, walking and horse riding every year.

“As well as providing a valuable community resource, the completion of the Trail would attract thousands more tourists keen to experience the Bronte heritage at Haworth and Thornton,” said Mr. McQuillan.

“Even though the Trail is incomplete, there is already evidence that this is happening, and people now want to see the Trail extended into Bradford, Keighley and Halifax which would provide an asset of regional significance.

“Queensbury Tunnel is a magnificent Victorian feat of engineering and would itself become a major tourist attraction as the longest tunnel cycle route in the country.”

Mr McQuillan added that the tunnel would be a “vital connector” in a West Yorkshire network of cycle routes.

“It is crucial for both Bradford Council and Calderdale Council to get behind this campaign.

“If the authorities allow it to be filled in, it will be lost forever and the chance to extend the Great Northern Railway Trail into Calderdale will be gone.

“Safe off-road solutions such as cycling and walking offer the best sustainable way to get about and also provide the opportunity to improving peoples’ health. A restored and reopened Queensbury Tunnel would make a vital contribution to that. Its loss would be a disaster.”