Photos: Kelvin Wakefield
Words: Chris Young, local democracy reporting service
A disused rail tunnel has opened its gates to the public for the first time in two decades this weekend.
Greenside Tunnel sits between Tyersal and Pudsey, and was closed in the 1960s as part of sweeping changes to the country’s rail system.
Photo: Kelvin Wakefield
There have been calls for the structure to be re-opened as a public greenway, and it could soon become hugely significant for the region – the former rail line has been touted as one possible route for the planned tram system linking Bradford with Leeds.
On Saturday and Sunday the 616 yard Victorian tunnel opened as part of the national Heritage Open Day celebrations.
Unlike some disused rail infrastructure, the Greenside Tunnel remains in a fair condition, meaning people were able to walk through the route.
Photo: Kelvin Wakefield
The event has been organised by Greenside Greenway, a charity set up to restore the tunnel into a working transport corridor.
If it re-opened as a greenway it would provide a walking and cycling link between Pudsey and Bradford, then on to the Spen Valley Greenway.
But another plan could see the old rail line and tunnel used as a route for West Yorkshire’s proposed Mass Transit system.
A Strategic Outline Case for mass transit – expected to be a tram line – will be submitted by West Yorkshire Combined Authority later this year. One proposed route between Leeds and Bradford would make use of the old rail line – and possibly the Greenside tunnel.
Check out a slideshow of Kelvin Wakefield’s photos:
Greenside tunnel: Visitors then walked back along the 563 metre tunnel to the entrance Photo: Kelvin Wakefield 
Greenside tunnel: The far end, near Station Street – appeared to be less filled in than many expected. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield 
Greenside tunnel: The tunnel’s condition appeared to be very good, if a little damp. Photo: Kelvin Wakefield 
Greenside tunnel: The main airshaft still looks impressive today Photo: Kelvin Wakefield 
Greenside tunnel: The event raised money for the Pudsey Greenside Greenway project Photo: Kelvin Wakefield 
Greenside tunnel: The main airshaft still looks impressive today Photo: Kelvin Wakefield 
Greenside tunnel: Worker’s refuge in tunnel wall Photo: Kelvin Wakefield 
Greenside tunnel: The entrances have been blocked up with high fences Photo: Kelvin Wakefield 
Greenside tunnel: Hundreds of people queued for well over an hour and listened to a safety briefing before being allowed in Photo: Kelvin Wakefield
Gary Lemal, of Greenside Greenway, said: “It has been over 20 years since gates were put up on the tunnel. The rail line closed in 1964, but since then people used it as a route on the way to the woods.”
The gates were installed due to a national policy to close off historic rail estates.
But despite this, Mr Lemal says the tunnel remains in good condition for a Victorian structure.
Talking about the group’s aims, he said: “We’d like the tunnel and the old rail line to be re-opened as a greenway.
“It could be upgraded so people can travel the whole route and connect with the Spen Valley Greenway and the Leeds Bradford Supercycle highway. We’d love people to be using it again.”
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Very interesting initiative to reopen the tunnel if it is to be used for active travel and/or to decongest traffic.