A new plan has been developed to restore the Chesterfield Canal
A new plan has been developed to restore the Chesterfield Canal as part of a larger community development project. The goal is to transform the canal area into a vibrant space where locals can live, work, and enjoy their leisure time. It also aims to attract visitors and support local businesses while helping nature thrive.
Around 60 people, including politicians, local government staff, business leaders, canal enthusiasts, and journalists, gathered in Killamarsh to learn about two important reports. One report outlines the broader vision for the canal from Chesterfield to Kiveton Park, while the other focuses on the section in North East Derbyshire.
These reports examine various aspects of the restoration, such as its strategic plans, financial implications, and management needs. The primary focus is not just on fixing the canal but on creating a framework for overall community regeneration.
The Chesterfield Canal Corridor Project will feature new training opportunities related to the water, activities to bring in tourists, support for paddlesports, and trails for walking and cycling. This will promote physical and mental health and create new business chances along the canal. Additionally, there will be improvements in parking and access, ensuring safety for all users while enhancing local wildlife and habitats.
The project is expected to boost the canal area as a desirable place to live, work, and visit, increasing property values and encouraging economic investment. Eighteen potential hubs have been identified along the canal, each one with ideas for projects that align with the community’s needs for living, working, playing, health, heritage, and environment.
The potential financial benefits of this project include an estimated £252 million from visitors, £132 million from arts and heritage activities, and £116 million from job creation. The plan was developed by Focus Consultants and Sigma Architects, commissioned by the Chesterfield Canal Partnership. This partnership includes local councils, local organizations, community groups, and private businesses.
Councillor Alex Davis speaking at the launch
Cllr Alex Dale, Chair of the Partnership, expressed the importance of sharing the potential advantages of a fully restored canal, both to secure funding and to highlight the social, economic, and environmental benefits for the community.
Throughout the planning process, many stakeholders were consulted, including local authorities, community groups, and environmental organizations. A survey was also distributed to gather community input along the canal’s route.
The project will run parallel to the actual restoration of the canal itself. The Chesterfield Canal, which first opened in 1777, was originally built for transporting goods. However, as railways became more popular, fewer boats travelled the canal. By 1968, only a small portion remained navigable. Since 1989, 12 miles of the canal have been restored, along with numerous locks, bridges, and marinas. Now, there are around 8.5 miles left to restore between Staveley and Kiveton Park to make the canal fully navigable again.
