THE Chesterfield Canal Trust celebrated the start of its latest phase of restoration with a groundbreaking ceremony at Staveley.
Lee Rowley MP, Toby Perkins MP and Coun Tricia Gilby, leader of Chesterfield Borough Council and vice-chairman of the Staveley Town Deal Board, were joined by Tony Mitchell, a director of O’Brien Construction Ltd and Peter Hardy, chairman of the Chesterfield Canal Trust.
Peter Hardy welcomed everyone and said this was the culmination of three years of preparatory work. Toby Perkins said: “The canal is a huge asset to Chesterfield and the trust’s volunteers are involved in something that genuinely matters and makes a difference to very many people.”
Coun Gilby was pleased that another of the Staveley Town Deal projects was getting under way and said: “This wonderful asset will boost the tourist economy and people can use it to walk and cycle, possibly even to get to work.”
Lee Rowley also praised the volunteers, saying: “It’s just amazing to see that this has got going, it’s taken a number of years to do but we’re now seeing another example of Levelling Up in action.”
Tony Mitchell said that O’Brien’s was very happy to have the opportunity to do the works which will bring joy to thousands of people for many years to come. The civil engineering contractor is carrying out the first phase of an 18-month project.
The company will carry out major groundworks to clear the route of the canal and landscape the surrounding area.
Next, the abutments for the new Trans Pennine Trail bridge will be built and, in September, this 38-metre-long structure will be lowered into place.
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.
Towpath Talk readers will be able to follow the progress of the works as they happen by going to the Chesterfield Canal Trust’s website at www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk
This is one of 10 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. Go to www.chesterfield.gov.uk/staveley-town-deal for details of projects.
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 chairman of the trust.
To learn more, go to the Chesterfield Canal Trust website.
