Derby Canal - The Challenge of Restoration

[@alanwatson9624]

I was delighted to find this video! I walk a dog down the canal from the Long Eaton lock to the Sandiacre Lock and down the filled-in section. And also ride my bicycle past the Navigation Pub - past that newly built Cafe you went to (I've watched that slowly being renovated and developed over several years), and seen that section of canal be restored. I can confirm that a van was driven under that bridge and set a light (it was used in a robbery not far from there) and it closed the bridge for a couple of weeks after. It will need to be rebuilt eventually.

[@eclectictraveller]

Thanks very much. I wasn't sure if that was the bridge in question, appreciate you confirming it. Full restoration is going to take a number of years.

[@heydenharrison143]

Very interesting especially the work needed to get permissions for the canal restoration.A sensible way to approach the challenges that faced them.A huge but worthwhile project ahead, This was all new for me.Thanks for the research you must have put in to bring this to us. Hope you are keeping well - you are certainly keeping fit!

[@eclectictraveller]

Yes it's easy to overlook the legal, land holding and financial issues. It hadn't crossed my mind before that the canal crosses three local authority areas and close to Network Rail so these organisations are bound to have an interest in the canal's restoration. I'm very well thanks, hope all is good with you.

[@comedyhunter]

Great to see you covered the Derby canal, Ive got a dedicated playlist no my KZbin channel. Ive flown most of the route with my drone and also mapped it out for Google Streetview and also done lots of then and now videos of the former canal do have a look.

[@eclectictraveller]

Thanks I've subscribed to your channel. I caught a couple of your drone flights, great to see the canal landscape from above.

[@comedyhunter]

@@eclectictraveller Thanks, yes I find seeing it all from above really helps you see the route. Hope you enjoy my then and now Derby canal videos they bring it to life.

[@andrewthomas3270]

Thank you for the latest video, I wonder why they restored that lock you said 26 years ago but then just left nature to continue to do its thing. I wonder why they didn’t concentrate on the surrounding area of the lock over the following years. What is your opinion 20/30 years at this rate? I think you and I will be long gone by the time this one is finished LOL 😋

[@eclectictraveller]

I think the Canal Trust is focusing its efforts in the Draycott area close to the cafe. The lock and bridge at Borrowash would have made an excellent starting point too. Yes I think this restoration will take several years, Grantham and Chesterfield canal restorations are further forward than Derby currently.

[@penniboo5818]

Great to hear the canal network is slowly being restored all be it a slow process due to lack of government funding for the CRT.

[@eclectictraveller]

Yes progress is being made but limited by the finances sadly.

[@thoughtsonnarrowboatingwit3882]

Osmosis has got the better of the plastic boat at the beginning of your video. Has regards the restoration, there as been no work that I can see, especially in the last two years.

[@eclectictraveller]

Yes I can see some canals like the Chesterfield and the Grantham getting restored. The Derby I have doubts about as things stand.