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Derby Canal

Derby Canal

The Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust aims to restore the Derby Canal as near to its original line as possible. Successes to date include restoration of bridges, a road culvert, lock chamber restorations, a 300m stretch of canal at Spondon and preparatory work on much of the rest of the canal line. Outline planning permission for the whole canal length and water abstraction rights have been secured. The trust completed three canal cottages at Draycott to be rented out for restoration income and now has a thriving café alongside the Golden Mile canal path in Draycott. The Golden Mile restoration at Draycott was delayed by flooding, which damaged the works and delayed progress, but repairs and the remainder of Phase 1 have now been completed. Increased costs and flood management requirements have further delayed the completion of Phase 2.

The River Derwent electric trip-boat Outram opened for passengers in August 2022. The trust is now working with Derby City Council to establish a purpose-built pontoon to allow full wheelchair access. Feasibility studies are almost complete to create a river lock and city-centre basin to encourage tourists into Derby within the city’s aspirations to engage with its river, although timing of delivery is in doubt as funding tightens up. Plans to divert sewers in Sandiacre Bottom Lock, close to the Erewash Canal junction, have moved on with numerous surveys being completed. Contractor-led works should be undertaken in 2023 allowing volunteers to take over the lock restoration thereafter. Discussions also continue to restore a section at Chellaston in conjunction with the plan to build a major housing estate adjacent to the canal line.

March 2023

Derby Canal.

 

 

Restoration Walk

Discovering Derby's Lost Canal, Waterways World March 2020

Navigation Authority

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Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust

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