Barnsley Canal
The Barnsley, Dearne & Dove Canals Trust was wound up in November 2020. See Waterways World News
The Barnsley, Dearne & Dove Canals Trust aimed to reconnect the rivers Calder and Don by restoring both broad-beam canals. The top pound/lock of the Dearne & Dove Canal’s Elsecar Branch was restored, and a feasibility study proved that relinking was possible.
The Barnsley Canal in Wakefield is currently safeguarded in its Local Development Framework but, regrettably, the more recent Barnsley LDF does not support a similar approach there, despite the trust’s best efforts. This means that existing stretches of the canal in Barnsley that are still discernible will be protected, but there is no basis for a long-term restoration strategy. It had been hoped that if two councils supported the restoration, resistance in Rotherham MBC to restore could have been overcome eventually.
However, the setback in Barnsley has meant that the dwindling members of the trust have decided that it is time to cease operations. Arrangements have been made for the website to be available for the next five years, and it has been agreed with the membership that residual funds will be passed across to the Chesterfield Canal Trust to further their restoration efforts.
Arrangements will be made to archive material in appropriate locations as soon as pandemic restrictions allow such activities to take place. Despite the trust’s disappointment at having to close, it is convinced that helping to keep the restoration work of the Chesterfield Canal Trust moving forward is the best use for its members’ remaining resources.
February 2021
