A boost for the Derby & Sandiacre Canal

 

NETWORK Rail is is contributing £350,000 to the cost of restoring part of the Derby & Sandiacre Canal.

The reason is to prevent flooding of Midland Mainline at Draycott that prevents trains from running between Derby and Nottingham, Keith Gudgin reports.

Protecting the railway line

Once restored the canal, that runs from Derby to Sandiacre where it joins the Erewash Canal and at present is a path (pictured), will act as a run-off for water in times of flooding, protecting the railway line.

During November, the section of the Midland Mainline flooded at Draycott as it has done 19 times in eight years, stopping the trains until it cleared, costing an estimated £2m in repairs and causing innumerable delays to passengers.

Drainage ditch

A drainage ditch was installed along the canal bed in 1999 to help to prevent flooding, and though Network Rail told it did help it did not prevent further flooding.

The Derby & Sandiacre Canal Trust is also spending £100,000 on the scheme and has welcomed the investment from Network Rail.