Basingstoke's Collapsed Canal Tunnel

The Abandoned Last Five Miles of the Basingstoke Canal is home to its collapsed Tunnel. Should we protect the Bats at all costs or can humans and Bats cohabit in a shared space?
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Picture: Basingstoke-canal.org.uk
Map: railmaponline and google.com
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[@playwithmeinsecondlife6129]

Rebecca is the prettiest thing ever seen along a disused rail line or canal footpath.

[@boxcarjim1]

The issue with the bats is that is not a roost, but an hibernaculum - where bats over-winter. It's one of the most important hibernacula for two species of bat (Natterer's and Daubenton's) in Western Europe. The Greywell Tunnel both the eastern and western bits of it, is an SSSI for this reason.

[@thehouseholder5468]

The tunnel was built by humans not bats , if I move into a cave built by bats in the desert would that give me more rights 🥴

[@haywardsteve]

Rebecca like the way you wear your corset on the outside of your blouse

[@kevbaker153]

As said before Bats co exist in several canal tunnels that are open, Saddington on the Leicester Section has a large bat colony and they aren't bothered by boats going through it regularly

[@NovaMoonstar]

Why not rebuild the collapsed sections of the old Greywell Tunnel for bat habitat; while building a new, bigger Greywell Tunnel for boat traffic?

[@benlarge1984]

I found this rather interesting, ive lived in Basingstoke all my life, 36 years, and never thought about the canal, I might have to take a day out and retrace your path.

[@danielbarrows7144]

Bat 🦇 man does not like visitors to his cave 👀😈😎🦇 and Rebecca looking stylish as usual 😊 thanks for sharing

[@paulscott7802]

I can tell you why there was a collapse..... a rather large tree was felled above the tunnel....

[@Buckey033]

To the west on the other side of the A30 there’s remnants of the canal (with stagnant water in) along the edge of Old Basing as well

[@davidrobinson4642]

Paul, you were absolutely accurate with your identification of the location of the tunnel collapse. I have been inside the tunnel from the Eastern portal to the tunnel blockage (about 3/4 mile in) before it was closed and I can report that the internal tunnel condition is superb (much better than a lot of canal tunnels that are in daily use today). The blockage was caused by a roof collapse in about 1932 due to a pond forming on the surface when it's drainage channel became blocked due to lack of maintenance. The blockage is a supportive plug of sand and clay which fills the tunnel from bottom to ceiling and is actually preventing any further damage from occurring. The problem with the bats is that it has been argued that the blockage has effectively turned the tunnel into a cave and that reopening it would affect hibernation during the Winter months. I have had plenty of opportunities to see bats sharing canal tunnels that are in year-round daily use by boats without any apparent problems (actually it was to the advantage of the bats in Brandwood Tunnel on the Northern Stratford Canal because they feasted on the flies driven in by a passing boat). If the Greywell Tunnel was reopened then it would allow a Marina to be built near Up Natley which would serve Basingstoke and thus provide a logical terminus to the canal, completely appropriate to the canal's function. The 'cave' condition could be emulated by closing a new Western portal by a pair of doors closed during the Winter Bat Hibernation period when any boat traffic would be light anyway. Problem is this requires an environmental compromise, the Engineering is easy and it shouldn't cost too much as most of the infrastructure already exists.

[@Beatlefan67]

Our late father was born in Basingstoke, in 1913 and he'd tell us boys about the canal. I think it was a bit of a 'lads playground'.

[@NPMTrialsVideo]

I thought it about time I offered you some feedback (read high praise) for this and the numerous other videos you've done. This one was of interest as my first job was pre-college experience as a Countryside Ranger on the Basingstoke Canal, and back in the 70s had the opportunity to take a small boat to the 'beach' at the end of the collapsed tunnel.

[@annfeddersen6963]

The Basingstoke Canal hidden and buried in the Basingstoke fen and under the path in eastrope towards the festival place ending at the Basingstoke street kitchen in Basingstoke is interesting too.

[@HenrysAdventures]

Good to rewatch this video! Today I went to see the ruins of King John's Castle aka Odiham Castle and walked to the other end of Greywell Tunnel. I did think about trying to find this end but as it was getting late I thought I'd just head home and watch this video!

[@sidewaysaction9983]

There's been Bats in the dark room off our workshop for as long as I remember, we don't bother them they don't bother us apart from a few droppings, the house Martin's on the other hand turn up every year build amazing nests then shit all over everything but we wouldn't have it any other way. As I've said before loving your work.

[@andrewholloway231]

Thank you for a great video exploring the collapsed Greywell tunnel. I really enjoyed it. So, in 1991, my family hired a boat from Galleon Marine, Odiham, Hants for a short break along the Basingstoke canal. I have just visited the Basingstoke Canal Society's History, restoration and today page on their website and it says:

[@Poultrymad]

Nice little book if you can get it, is 'London's Lost Route To Basingstoke' by P.A.L.Vine. Has some old photos & illustrations of the area including showing the route through Basing & Basingstoke wharf in 1872 & Nately brickworks (1897-1908). The big loop around Rotherwick didn't happen because the Rt. Hon. Earl Tylney objected as it cut through his land, so they dug the tunnel instead. We investigated the Western portal in the mid 1980's, also found Little Tunnel & managed to get right up to it (probably trespassing at the time!) Been a long time since we went there so very nice to see your video about it, Paul & Rebecca. ;)

[@HenrysAdventures]

Interesting video as always! As a child I remember walking along the Basingstoke Canal from the East mouth of Graywell Tunnel to King John's Castle and on to Odiham Ford. I'm remember it being just about the muddiest place I'd ever been!

[@michaelpilling9659]

Fascinating guys - thank you so much. Another superb video, full of historical facts.