Chesterfield Canal Restoration
The
Chesterfield Canal Trust is restoring a stretch of the historic Chesterfield Canal, extending from the existing limit at Eckington Road.
Works include the reconstruction of 400m of canal channel and constructing a large bridleway bridge and a new lock. A large water main is being diverted, a new pumping system being installed to supply water to the canal and over 3km of footpath improvements will be made. The foundations for a smaller vehicle bridge will be installed and the historic Bellhouse Basin restored to allow boats to turn around. This will be complemented by native landscaping and new seating areas and signage.
The project will enhance the connection of routes to existing communities and other routes, including the Trans Pennine Trail, and will improve the outdoor space along the canal. It is expected that the project will lead to a 20% increase in visitors to the Staveley area and a significant uplift in the number of people using the footpaths. This will all help to boost the amount of money spent in the local economy.
The first phase of the project was completed in October 2024, when the new Trans Pennine Trail bridge was lowered into place. This magnificent structure is 38 metres long and weighs in at 40 tonnes. It replaces a brick bridge on what was originally the Great Central Railway, with the old bridge having been knocked down about thirty years ago. Since then, users of the Trail have had to go on a zig-zag up and down route, but they can now go straight over the new bridge.
The bridge cleared the way for the next phase of the project, and O’Brien Contractors started on site in October 2025 to deliver the remaining works being funded by the Staveley Town Deal. Works are expected to complete in Summer 2026.
The works at Staveley also complement other work the Trust is carrying out along the canal, with the volunteer work party currently working on the Rewatering Renishaw project. This will bring another 1km of canal back to life in Renishaw, and the Trust aims to join the two projects together in the near future, extending the current canal by around 2.5 miles.
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.
