Northern Canals Associations Conference

1. Friends of the Cromford Canal

The spring meeting of the Associations took place within sight of the southern section of the Cromford Canal at Ironville, Derbyshire. It began by Mike Kelly, Chairman of the Friends of the Cromford Canal, the host Society, taking us through the development of the society and its progress towards restoration.

Some years ago there had been a Cromford Canal Society, active at the northern end, but this had been wound up after experiencing financial difficulties, and its name could not be revived for legal reasons. There was apparently nobody interested in the Cromford Canal in spite of the beauty of the countryside through which it passes, its historical connections with Arkwright's Mill at Cromford and its long association with the coal industry. However a small sub-committee was formed in November 2001 and a letter writing campaign commenced which brought interest and support from many sources. The first public meeting was attended by 200 people and the present membership is over 500, such is the enthusiasm.

As with the Sankey, invitations were issued to British Waterways and The Waterways Trust to come along and see the canal, both were accepted and there is also support from local councillors, Members of Parliament, MEPs the Inland Waterways Association, and the Arkwright Society. The Duke of Devonshire was delighted to become a patron of the canal, whilst local support came from 100 walkers who took part in a sponsored walk along the canal in 2002 and it is confidently expected that that figure will double in 2003.

Since the November meeting, things have been happening. Members have carried out some cleaning up of the canal, with the usual debris being removed to fill no less than six skips. A web site has been set up, and there is an e-mail address so avenues of communication are available to all interested parties. Those familiar with the Standedge tunnel will recall the existence of the "Diggles", furry subterranean tunnel dwellers who emerge to amuse the children at Huddersfield Canal events. The FCC have "found" some "Bengies" which live in their tunnel and have similar behaviour patterns, possibly even the same costumes. It is hoped to franchise the Bengies to children's television to develop publicity and funding, the first step being the production of a colouring book with them as the main characters. Another publication is 'The Portal', an imaginatively named quarterly journal or newsletter reporting society progress, whilst the most recent is a well-produced walker's guide to the whole canal, including its branches. There are plans to create a circular tourist trip, first by electric boat through the restored Butterley Tunnel then back via the preserved steam railway which runs across the top of the tunnel. A horse boat service was run at the northern end of the canal but this was discontinued. It is hoped that this will be revived.

Despite the large membership committee members are in short supply, and those in post often find themselves doubling up responsibilities. More serious problems which will need to be addressed in the future include the reinstatement of Butterley Tunnel (over 3000 yards long and the victim of mining subsidence), a few missing aqueducts, difficulties with the wildlife lobby, the odd building on the course of the canal, the restoration of the three upland reservoirs which originally fed the canal and the puzzling opposition to restoration by Derbyshire County Council.

Clearly much has been done in a very short time and the FCC are to be congratulated on their commitment. They plan a Cromford Canal Festival in 2004 and judging by past efforts it will surely be a great success.

2. Cromford Canal History.

Hugh Potter took the meeting through the development of the canal and its gradual decline. In 1788 it had been decided that a new link to Manchester and the North West would be advantageous and that the first stage of this route should be a canal from Langley Mill on the existing Erewash Canal to Cromford where Richard Arkwright had established his model village. The Cromford and High Peak Railway was to provide the next link over the hills to Whaley Bridge and from there the Peak Forest Canal would give access to Manchester and the surrounding region.

From the junction with the Erewash at Langley Mill the canal lead off northwards to Ironville where it curved eastwards above Codnor village. From here a branch to Pixton lead off to the north east. Next it passed through Butterley Tunnel and continued eastwards to Ambergate where it turned again, heading north west along the Derwent Valley to Cromford. The section of canal from the Erewash to the mouth of the Butterley Tunnel was broad gauge and incorporated all the locks, 14 in number, but the tunnel and the remaining section of the canal was built to narrow gauge, being lock free for the whole of its length.

William Jessop and Benjamin Outram were the joint engineers who overcame labour problems and defective aqueducts to open the completed canal in 1792. The canal prospered and soon a distinct pattern of cargo developed. Lime, limestone, calamine and slag were regarded as local traffic, which rarely passed beyond Langley Mill. In contrast, coal, timber, slate, corn, groceries, iron and lead passed in large quantities onto other waterways.

In common with many canals, the coming of the railway heralded the its demise. It was sold to the Midland Railway in 1852 and was still used , although carrying much less traffic, until the collapse of Butterley Tunnel in 1893, the result of mining subsidence. It was repaired and reopened until a further collapse in 1900 which was not repaired.

The two sections of canal continued to operate on either side of Tunnel Hill but in 1960 came the full closure, to be followed by the inevitable in-filling . Large sections were sold off by BW, leading to the present .multiple ownership which could be troublesome to future restoration. Other problems to be solved include the restoration of the tunnel, the rebuilding of two aqueducts and some re-routing round the site of Ambergate's old gas works. At one point the canal bank collapsed in 1920, the Midland taking two months to repair it, and this site remains prone to slumping. One of the most galling obstacles is a house which has been built on the approach embankment to one of the aqueducts with full planning permission from the local authority. Before building began the owner had offered the site to the FCC but the asking price far outstripped the coffers so building went ahead.

Not everything is negative however. The scenic beauty of the Derwent Valley is hard to beat. Sections of the canal are still in water whilst others, complete with lock chambers, though drained, will be straightforward projects. The pump house which raised water from the River Derwent into the northern section has been restored and is a tourist attraction in its own right, as are the village of Cromford, and the transhipment site at High Peak. The restored canal would bring increased tourism throughout its length rather than in its present concentrations.

The tunnel is worthy of greater development. There are wider bores than the normal at various points along its course and various underground wharves and canal arms linking up with local pits. The boat trips through the tunnel linking up with the railway above have been previously mentioned. Elsewhere a narrow boat dry dock survives, as does a gauging point whilst a number of canal-side buildings are being brought back to life to serve in new roles.

FCC have indicated a target time of 15 years to full restoration but, considering the progress made so far in such a short time, they will probably complete the job sooner rather than later.

3. Society Reports.

As is customary at these meetings, the last event of the day is a reporting session at which the representatives of the various societies bring everyone up to date with their successes and request assistance if they are in difficulties. With a mind to the present trends in waterway restoration the success stories far outweighed the problems. With the expansion of BW's involvement in waterway restoration it was pointed out that in many meetings with BW staff the people from the Societies were more knowledgeable about the canals than those from BW, who in some cases had only been in post for a limited time.

The Pocklington Canal now has a completion date of five years, given increasing support from BW and reduced obstruction from English Nature. A major funding appeal is to be launched.

The Ashby Canal Society has obtained funding to restore a section of canal.

The Sleaford Navigation group has commissioned an implementation study and has the funding for this. It is however having some difficulty with the local Environment Agency which is supposed to be a partner but is issuing incorrect literature about the waterway.

The Rochdale Canal Society holds its third (???) opening ceremony in April with the assistance of M.P. Michael Meacher. The society continues to exist and is currently pressing for the installation of better water, pump out, diesel and litter disposal facilities along the western section of the canal. B.W. is aware of the difficulties and is addressing the problem.

The Huddersfield Canal Society considers itself a little sidelined after all its efforts. Its canal was not as well built as the Rochdale, and it is anticipated that further work will be needed.

Grantham Canal and Navigation groups have combined to make progress, but retain their separate identities. They are working on a restoration strategy which could include making a 20 mile level pound navigable, with connection to the national network at a later date. A new road link is to be built with culverted access for the canal when restored.

Chesterfield Canal Society looks forward to the official opening of the Rotherham section in late June this year. Nine miles remain to be restored, half of which is included in a current funding bid. The local Development Agency is not being very co-operative whilst the Rother Link has yet to be decided.

Lichfield and Hatherton: Of the two culverts beneath the Birmingham relief road one is now complete and the other has its sub-structure already installed and is awaiting the final funding to complete the project. The steel trough for a planned aqueduct has been ordered and funding being sought for the abutments. There is every confidence that the project will be completed.

SCARS tabled the news of its recently formed partnership and the enthusiasm of those partners, especially regarding the proposed link to the Leeds Liverpool Canal.

Manchester Bolton & Bury Society announced that the canal is now on the Salford City UDP for the next ten years, just as the society recommended some years ago. It is working well with BW and stressed that where a partnership has been established there must be an agreed protocol regarding press releases, which must be cleared by all partners before publication.

Northern Reaches of the Lancaster Canal: An Appraisal Study is under way. A recent northern branch meeting drew an attendance of 200 so the enthusiasm continues. Date of completion anticipated to be 2008.

Melton Navigation: Progress is being made with another section being made navigable. Next project is the restoration of a lock. Still experiencing opposition from the angling fraternity.

Uttoxeter: BW has re-watered the Froghall end of the Caldon canal to allow the passage of vessels through Froghall Tunnel following a reduction of water level by 6 inches.

IWAAC: It was suggested that restoration projects are progressing so rapidly that the IWAAC Report should be updated more frequently than at present.

IWA: John Fletcher announced:

• The unveiling of a memorial to Cyril Boucher on 14th April at 3-30pm on the Marple Aqueduct.
• It was announced that Michael Paine, John's predecessor as Regional Chair, was in intensive care after an operation and had been told of the support from his waterway friends. Keith Gibson asked that the best wishes of the Meeting should be sent to him.
• BW is obtaining funding from sources other than the government. The Exchequer has agreed money for BW for the next three years to ensure catching up with the back-log of work.
• The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is encouraging the spending of funding in rural areas.
• BW's negotiations objectives : Framework to be produced.
• National Rally: There will be no cheap entry on the day. It is essential to book ahead for boating spaces, there are presently very few left.

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