Abandoned Cromford Canal & Restoration - Butterley & Codnor Park Locks

Abandoned Cromford Canal & Restoration - Butterley Tunnel, Langley Mill Restoration & Codnor Park Locks, Derbyshire.
In this video we are back on the Cromford Canal disused sections to look at what history is left behind. We pick up our story at Butterley Tunnel where we left off on our last episode in Derbyshire - • The Cromford Canal Dis... .
The Butterley tunnel collapsed in 1900, which accelerated the demise of the canal, which due to the railways was already in decline. It was over 3000 yards long.
We look at one of the air shafts near Butterley Reservoir before picking up the route of the canal at the eatern tunnel portal at Golden Valley. We can then follow the canal as far as Codnor Park Reservoir and the junction with the also disused Pinxton Canal - another abandoned canal arm.
From here we see a series of locks and interesting buildings before reaching the Portland Whard at Jacksdale. We can investigate the old Portland tramway and connecting railways from the nearby Forge.
After here, the canal takes on a more "lost" feeling, completely infilled in places. As we approach Langley Mill, we can see the Beggarlee restoration plans where a short section north of the Erewash Canal will be restored.
The Cromford Canal is mostly cared for by it's custodians 'Friends of Cromford Canal'. Already in water towards Cromford, High Peak Junction and Leawood, there are ambitious canal restoration plans further affield.
Friends of Cromford Canal - www.cromfordca...

[@paramotorhead]

This is basically our dog walking route. There’s some fantastic wildlife there with Kingfisher, Heron and a new addition of Egrets. There’s even a resident Terrapin in Codnor Park reservoir thats lived there for many years.

[@ST150ward]

That 2019 Bridge is called humpy it's a lovely walk down toward codnor Castle after the forge

[@WobblyRunner]

Cheers Dan. Noted. Well worth a visit if I'm ever in the area.

[@ST150ward]

@@WobblyRunner your now following some of my favourite routes. I love victoriana and the railways and canal routes around here.

[@WobblyRunner]

@@ST150ward great isn't it. There's so much history around there, everywhere you turn.

[@ST150ward]

@@WobblyRunner Ripley is littered with history thanks to butterley engineering

[@WobblyRunner]

@@ST150ward ah funny you should mention Ripley. Got a railway video coming up from Ripley 👍🙂

[@25mileswest86]

Thanks - really enjoyed this vid journey with you... such beautiful old structures/bridges along the way, just waiting for some solid TLC (and big funding no doubt.!) to bring them back to life... sad they've had to be neglected/abandoned. Lovely maps/old picture archives you've dug out, to help explain and illustrate the story. Sorry I'm only just catching up with it now...

[@WobblyRunner]

Glad you enjoyed it 👍 Loved looking around the Cromford Canal. I hope it get to see it back to its former glory in my lifetime.

[@user-cf3zl1vv9o]

Thanks you for this video! I love Cromford canal, I think it is one of the most beautiful canal with lots of history behind. It is a shame some parts are now broken and abandoned. Would be good to restore the tunnel and other bits where possible. I know some people have been inside the tunnel and discovered an underground wharf which is amazing. I'd like to hope we will see a real narrow boat going via Cromford one day :-)

[@WobblyRunner]

I really hope so too. You're right. Some parts of it are really beautiful.

[@paulcharlton4788]

They decided some years ago that the reservoir was putting Ironville at risk so they needed to reduce the water level. They took out two locks I think it was which has made restoration of the canal very difficult. Planning was granted to restore the Pinxton arm across the opencast site but it’s never happened.

[@WobblyRunner]

Ah yes I read the restoration plans for the Pinxton, then noticed it was from around 2008. I wondered what happened.... Ps. Pinxton video up next

[@paulcharlton4788]

Good stuff. I used to live in Pinxton and I’ve walked the canal many times. When the Smotherfly site was opencast it destroyed the canal. The deal was that it should be restored at the end of work but they went bust so it was never done. Then the canal society got involved and came up with a scheme which also never happened. There are lots of obstacles to restoration!

[@WobblyRunner]

@@paulcharlton4788 cheers Paul. That's a shame.

[@seamusmcevoy2011]

A fascinating journey through the Amazon jungle!!! The undergrowth is ridiculous at the moment isn't it, but you battled on. You look at the canal route and wonder if it would ever be put back into water as I'm sure it would be hellishly expensive to clear all that foliage. A terrifically informative video with great illustrations using the maps. I have so many explores lined up for Autumn/Winter that will be undertaken when the greenery has subsided, can't wait!!!!

[@WobblyRunner]

👍🙂 You're right about the undergrowth though. So much stuff on hold. I never thought I'd say this but roll on autumn 😄

[@seamusmcevoy2011]

@@WobblyRunner Absolutely!!!!

[@andrewmoon8888]

Hi there. Our group manage the section from the railway to where the canal ends. If you would like any information, just get in touch.

[@WobblyRunner]

Cheers Andrew 👍

[@andrewmoon8888]

@@WobblyRunner there is a vid on here Cromford Canal and Codnor Park res the movie. It shows how we started.

[@WobblyRunner]

@@andrewmoon8888 cheers Andrew. I will have a look for that. Something to watch later when the heat forces me inside 😄

[@stevenstopford9847]

Brilliant video many thanks 👍

[@WobblyRunner]

Cheers Steven. 👍

[@adriannorthcott902]

Another very interesting video keep them coming.

[@WobblyRunner]

Cheers Adrian 👍

[@daveattrill2712]

Great coverage - this is a segment of the canal I'm not sure I've visited or possibly a small bit of at one end. Just out of curiousity, which editing software do you use for your masterpieces?

[@WobblyRunner]

Cheers Dave. Nothing fancy this end. Just an app on my phone called inshot. I don't even own a computer these days 😄

[@gilesestram]

That urned out quiet well , complimented by some off screen investigative work by your self.

[@WobblyRunner]

Again, I compliment the tour guide 👍