Reopening Queensbury Tunnel as a cycle path?

[ST PADDY]

Not sure if this is the right place for this so sorry if it isn't . Nor am I sure if this has been reported anywhere else on the forum, haven't found any reference with a quick search so sorry if I'm repeating. It has been reported in the Bradford T&A that the old Queensbury tunnel could be reopened as a cycle path. The owning company (the Highways agency) is due to make repairs on the structure (so there is a budge to make the tunnel safe) but if concrete pillars are used then the tunnel will shut but concrete sleeves can be used instead which would see the tunnel safe for use. It is urgent that the councils of Bradford and Calderdale talk to the owning company to try and get the latter option used and the tunnel reopened. There is a campaign going on at the moment to try and get this done, so if you’re interested in reopening one of the deepest and longest tunnels is England or just anything railway then please send each council a note it doesn't matter if you’re not local as the route is for all, near and far. Below is a link to the people hoping to make this happen www.queensbury-village.co.uk and to the petition site
Petition web site. http://epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/59903

 

[Ploughman]

Featured on the BBC as well.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-26238939

Europe's longest underground cycleway could be built in West Yorkshire if campaigners succeed in their aim to get an abandoned rail tunnel converted into a cycle path.

But it's a race against time because Queensbury Tunnel between Bradford and Halifax needs expensive repairs and there are fears its owners might fill it with concrete.

Campaigners in the Pennine village of Queensbury came up with the idea to encourage cyclists to get on their bikes.

They want to reopen the abandoned railway tunnel that runs deep under the village as a cycleway which, at just over 1.4 miles (2.3km), would be the longest underground bike route in Europe.

It would avoid steep, traffic-clogged roads and provide a direct link between Bradford and Halifax.