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Rugby's tunnel of light

25th Oct 2005

As part of Rugby’s celebrations for Diwali, the Hindu festival of light, Mayor of Rugby Cllr Richard Lane will perform the official switch-on of some very unusual lights on Thursday 27 October.

The town’s Newbold Tunnel will become a ‘tunnel of light’, as part of a £195k project by British Waterways and Rugby Borough Council to improve this popular section of the Oxford Canal.

Ten groups of red, blue and green floodlights have been installed throughout the tunnel, creating a ‘rainbow effect’ that will light the way for boaters and walkers alike.

A talented group of young Bhangra dancers will join the Mayor, Rugby councillors and British Waterways representatives for the switch-on event.
When switched-on, the new lights give out an ethereal glow, beaming arches of coloured light across the tunnel roof that merge to form white light on the towpath side of the tunnel.

The lighting also creates a spectacular optical illusion - when reflected in the still canal water below, it appears to form a complete circle of light, not unlike the full moon!

A permanent fixture, the lights will be switched on from morning until sunset throughout the coming months.

Cllr Gordon Collett, Portfolio Holder for Borough and Economic Development, Rugby Borough Council, said: "This project proves the worth in working in partnership with like minded organisations. By pooling our resources, the Council and British Waterways have been able to achieve so much more that we could have ever hoped for individually.

"I am confident that the work we have undertaken together will help to address our common objective of increasing visitor and resident numbers using the canal."

Murray Geddes, Service Manager, British Waterways South East, said: "We are absolutely delighted with the new lights at Newbold Tunnel which, as well as looking amazing, will be of real benefit to boaters and walkers using this section of the Oxford Canal.

"British Waterways is committed to investing in practical and attractive improvement schemes such as this, so yet more people can enjoy their local waterways. It has been a pleasure working with Rugby Borough Council on this project."

The ¼ mile long Newbold Tunnel is over 180 years old and was built during the shortening of the Oxford Canal in the 1820s. The original Newbold Tunnel ran under the B4112 road, and its south portal can still be seen from the churchyard of St Botolph’s Church.

Last updated: 22/10/2008