Progress update (September 2008)

Works are now well advanced on the £1m project to restore the Chesterfield Canal at Renishaw, NE Derbyshire. The project has been designed and commissioned by Derbyshire County Council in association with North East Derbyshire District Council and the Chesterfield Canal Trust whom are members of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership.

The main engineering works is being undertaken by the construction company R B Allfree & Co. Ltd and involves the part re-excavation of the original canal, which had been backfilled as a result of previous industrial activities, and the formation of a new channel where the route has been diverted alongside a recently built housing development.  A large quantity of puddle clay is being utilized to provide a watertight seal to both the new section of canal and to carry out repairs to the original channel. Interlocking steel sheet piles have been installed along part of Smithy Brook Embankment to support the canal banks and a new pedestrian footbridge is under construction to provide a link from the housing development onto the towpath and allow access to a nearby children's play area. To alleviate past flooding issues within the visitor car parking area, the entire surface is to be raised in level and a new drainage system incorporated.

In addition, sewer and water main diversions are being organised to lower these services beneath the level of the canal bed at various crossing point locations.

Funding for the project is being provided by Derbyshire County Council, East Midlands Development Agency, Alliance SSP, ERDF Objective I, North East Derbyshire District Council, WREN, together with work in kind from the Waterway Recovery Group and Chesterfield Canal Trust.

The work is due to be completed in November 2008.

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