Chesterfield Canal Restoration
Chesterfield Canal Trust is restoring a stretch of the historic Chesterfield Canal. Ongoing works will see the canal extended from the existing limit at Eckington Road.
Works include the reconstruction of 850m of canal channel. In addition, two new bridges, a new lock and over 3 kilometres of footpath improvements will be made.
The project will enhance the connection of routes to existing networks, including the Trans Pennine Trail. It also complements other work which the Trust is carrying out in other areas along the canal.
The funding provides an extension totalling half a mile from Hartington Harbour onto the Staveley Puddlebank. This will also see the canal running across the Doe Lea valley. There will also be two miles of multi-use towpath all the way to Renishaw.
As well as improving outdoor space and creating new leisure infrastructure, it’s expected the restoration project will lead to a 20% increase in visitors to the Staveley area. This will boost the amount of money spent in the local economy.
The Trust’s volunteer Work Party has already started its Rewatering Renishaw project which will bring another half-mile of canal back to life. The aim is to join the two projects together finishing up with an extra 2½ miles of canal in the next few years.
O’Brien Contractors are carrying out the first phase of an 18 month long project at the canal. On October 21st, the new Trans Pennine Trail bridge was lowered into place. This magnificent structure is 38 metres long and weighs about 40 tons.
It replaces a brick bridge on what was originally the Great Central Railway. The old bridge was knocked down about thirty years ago and since then users of the Trail have had to go on a zig-zag up and down route. They will now be able to go straight over the new bridge.
Later a length of canal will be reinstated along with a new lock and another accommodation bridge at the bottom of Bellhouse Lane. There will also be a pumping system and a new Bellhouse Basin will be built. The towpath will be upgraded to a multi-user trail, stretching all the way across the Doe Lea Valley to Renishaw.
Finally, the whole area will be planted with wildlife friendly vegetation and a seating area for people to enjoy the tranquillity of the newly restored canal will be installed. You will be able to follow the progress of the works as they happen by going to the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s website.
This is one of ten projects funded through the Staveley Town Deal, a £25.2 million investment in Staveley through the Government’s Towns Fund. The total cost of the canal restoration is around £6 million, most of which will come from the Town Deal. The Trust currently has an appeal to raise £50,000 to go towards the cost of the gates for the new Keith Ayling Lock, named after a former Chair of the Trust. To learn more, go to the Chesterfield Canal Trust website.
You can find out more about the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal on the Chesterfield Canal Trust website.
