The Canal Today - Central Section

 

The old course of the Canal through Stevenson's yard
The old course of the Canal through Stevenson's yard 		Bullbridge Aqueduct embankment: canal filled in and fenced off for animals
Bullbridge Aqueduct embankment: canal filled in and fenced off for animals 		Bullbridge Aqueduct embankment: a small arch for a by-road
Bullbridge Aqueduct embankment: a small arch for a by-road
The canal at Lower Hartshay has a little water in it - The Gate Inn is the white building in the background.
The canal at Lower Hartshay has a little water in it - The Gate Inn is the white building in the background. 		This pipe follows the line of the old bridge at Bridle Lane Hartshay - the bridge is long gone and the canal's been opencasted.
This pipe follows the line of the old bridge at Bridle Lane Hartshay - the bridge is long gone and the canal's been opencasted. 		Please put your canal here! It originally ran under the bridge in the background to the rear of what is now 'The Excavator' pub.
Please put your canal here! It originally ran under the bridge in the background to the rear of what is now 'The Excavator' pub.
Cromford canal at Sawmills was originally cut to follow the natural land contours. This old path is to the south of the current line. When the Midland Railway built the Ambergate to Pye Bridge line, the trackbed in this area was at approximately the same level as the canal. The direct rail route would have required two crossings of the canal line at Sawmills. To avoid this, a new canal alignment was made running to the north of the railway line. The new alignment removed the old loop, and ran on a built-up embankment. The only evidence of the old route is this Bridge 26a and a short length of depressed ground now in the grounds of Lockwood's depot at Sawmills. Only one side is accessible, the other being bricked up. (Chris Morriss)
Cromford canal at Sawmills was originally cut to follow the natural land contours. This old path is to the south of the current line. When the Midland Railway built the Ambergate to Pye Bridge line, the trackbed in this area was at approximately the same level as the canal. The direct rail route would have required two crossings of the canal line at Sawmills. To avoid this, a new canal alignment was made running to the north of the railway line. The new alignment removed the old loop, and ran on a built-up embankment. The only evidence of the old route is this Bridge 26a and a short length of depressed ground now in the grounds of Lockwood's depot at Sawmills. Only one side is accessible, the other being bricked up. (Chris Morriss) 		This shot was taken across the 'Lockwood's Gap' - the creation of the new access for the site removed the canal from immediately in front of the photographer to a point in the distance - the glasshouse in the gap in the trees in the centre of the picture is built on the line.
This shot was taken across the 'Lockwood's Gap' - the creation of the new access for the site removed the canal from immediately in front of the photographer to a point in the distance - the glasshouse in the gap in the trees in the centre of the picture is built on the line. 		The line of the former Ambergate & Pye Bridge railway which might possibly be used as an alternative route for the restored canal to save disrupting the various gardens now on the original canal line.
The line of the former Ambergate & Pye Bridge railway which might possibly be used as an alternative route for the restored canal to save disrupting the various gardens now on the original canal line.
After the heavy rain towards the end of 2002, the normally dry canal bed at Sawmills was looking much more like a 'proper' canal again.
After the heavy rain towards the end of 2002, the normally dry canal bed at Sawmills was looking much more like a 'proper' canal again. 		In March 2004, the local householders had a tree cutting exercise which opened up this section dramatically.
In March 2004, the local householders had a tree cutting exercise which opened up this section dramatically. 		Although there was no way of removing the tree trunks.
Although there was no way of removing the tree trunks.
The trunks were stacked in the canal bed to act as wildlife habitats.
The trunks were stacked in the canal bed to act as wildlife habitats.

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