Programme for Reinstatement

 Overall Strategy

The entire canal reinstatement, twelve mile link junction to junction, is estimated to cost between £50 - 60 million, dependent on final engineering designs and methodology. A sectional build of closed stretches of waterways, determined by property developer demand and eventual connection, remains the most realistic approach to gaining full navigation. Unfortunately, the economic down turn has delayed the Spondon mile and Draycott developments, until mid 2010. In the meantime the strategy remains focussed on delivering a green heritage trail, along seven and half miles of the corridor, starting with the Erewash junction to Derby riverside crossing. Notwithstanding the impact of improving access throughout the entire green corridor such a scheme will provide beautification and enhancement to the indigenous flora, fauna, and wildlife, hopefully delivering a unique canal garden experience.

City riverside to Erewash heritage trail

This seven and half mile trail takes you through the greenest parts of the canal corridor, biodiverse linear gardens mingling with aspects of canal heritage such as original restored  locks, canal pubs, cottages, and bridges. These green spaces are almost akin to the Lost Gardens of Heligan and provide a wonderful experience to locals and visitors, subject to some improvements with new footways and cycleways along the towpath line. For a modest investment of £700k to £1.1 million, the riverside of Derby City can link all the way to the Erewash Canal at Sandiacre. Just imagine visiting an original lock keeper's cottage at the start of the trail and cycling into the riverside to visit the Derby Silk Mills. The Trust are aiming to have the trail up and running by June 2010.

Spondon Mile

 

 

  

At one end of the mile - Megalaughton lane on to Raynesway - a major marina, housing, and commercial development including hotel and shops has been submitted to planners 

 

  

 At the other end of the mile, planning has been granted for at least ninety code level four homes, using the canal as a balancing tank for drainage and a architectural water feature. The second phase of the scheme allows for seventy further units to be built on the opposite side                        

 

 

The illustation shown opposite shows a conceptual plan of the canal travelling through an emptied landfill site. This scheme allows the use of the existing fill material for the build of the canals and footways, thereby emptying the void for development. A scheme that will regenerate an existing derelict and industrial zone into a vibrant residential and commercial waterside. Fortunately the private partners are largely on board. However the vision can only become reality with participation and co-operation from the relevant public authorities and bodies.

 

Draycott Canal Garden

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is all about creating a visitor attraction, along an existing three quarter of a mile flood alleviation ditch, to create heightened awareness of what a canal can offer. We have proposed the green features to include;

  • A wetland home for observing the antics of native water voles
  • A botanic garden for green waste composting, and horticultural growing of flora and fauna.
  • Ancient woodland walk
  • A green incubator supporting skilled crafts and environmental SMEs 

Other schemes under review 

  • The navigable linkage of the Sandiacre junction with the Erewash canal to support freight by water of rail commodities such as rail infrastructure materials - concrete sleepers and railway ballast - to improve the efficiency of stocking, manufacture and freight train turnaround.
  • The development of the Chellaston canal section at the Swarkestone junction with the Trent and Mersey canal to compliment a new neighbouring business and residential development
  • An iconic boat lift over the river Derwent, a business model attracting tourism of over 400,000 visitors a year to Derby, and viable as a private finance initiative similar to the Falkirk wheel.
  • Use use of the canal to stimulate new innovative water freight recycling schemes - consider Derby has only one civic amenity site at Raynesway - waterways in and out of this public recycling centre to increase capacity, handling efficiency and reduce road transport impacts.  

 and initiatives lacking the necessary support 

Incorporating the use of the canal to contain river flood water and surface run-off. The trust believe that the flood management strategy of the Environmental Agency, lower Derwent flood strategy, does not recognise the role of the canal. If we are not careful flood assets at great expense, at least £35m million, will result in a newly constructed blue corridor, low spanning bridge across the Derwent river and localised flood defence schemes sitting alongside an undeveloped canal.