CAMPAIGNERS fighting to safeguard a historic railway tunnel claim there has been a “scandalous waste of public money” spent on its partial infilling.

The Queensbury Tunnel Society (QTS), which wants to see the structure brought back to life as part of a proposed cycle path, say more public money has been committed to the tunnel’s abandonment than it would cost to repair it.

But, Highways England, which manages the 1.4-mile-long tunnel on behalf of the Department for Transport, has disputed the figures given by campaigners.

QTS say preparatory works were costed at £545,000 and programmed to take four months, when they began in September 2018, but claim Highways England twice failed to pay the £50 annual rent on a pumping station that had been installed to keep the tunnel dewatered, resulting in the landowner turning it off.

Campaigners say, as a result, preparatory works are only 70 per cent complete and £7.53 million has been committed to them through contract variations. They believe the main abandonment scheme could add a further £3 million to the bill. QTS claim no “substantive works” have taken place since mid-September, but say a Freedom of Information request revealed Highways England approved a payment of £263,857 to contractor AMCO-Giffen to cover ‘running costs’ and a round-the-clock security presence in the weeks through to Christmas.

They say a contract variation, valued at almost £2 million for the installation of a concrete plug below a ventilation shaft, was issued in January and campaigners dispute Highways England belief that it is urgently needed.

Graeme Bickerdike, engineering co-ordinator for QTS, said: “There’s been a scandalous waste of public money here.The money could have paid for the tunnel’s repair, transforming this outstanding feat of Victorian engineering into an asset that could be a source of delight and adventure, delivering benefits for generations to come. Instead they’ve turned it into a money pit.”

A report to Bradford Council’s Executive in 2019 said it would cost £6.9 million to make the tunnel safe, and a total of £23 million to make the tunnel safe, convert it into a cycling attraction and provide a maintenance budget for 30 years. Healthy transport charity Sustrans said, taking into account the tourism benefits, the tunnel would be “good value for money.”

QTS leader Norah McWilliam said the tunnel would draw people to the region and boost the economy. Highways England said its emergency work benefits any future plans to re-open it while options for its future use are looked at.

A spokesperson added: “The structure is flooded, causing the tunnel lining to deteriorate at a rapid pace. It needs to be strengthened, and preventing an uncontrolled collapse is the best option for keeping this tunnel feasible.The figures being quoted for the cost of the work are inaccurate and currently £2 million less than stated.

"Sadly, with regards the amount spent on security and running costs, this has been necessary to prevent vandalism and trespassing on site.”