AS A PAST member of the Inland Waterways Association I received information about the proposed HS2 and have now read its latest output shared with Canal & River Trust, writes Brian Hawkins.
What bothers me is that though there has been much concerning the various crossings of the rail line over the canals, I have not seen anything from them about the three crossing of the old Chesterfield Canal around Staveley (where I live) where the line will decimate the restoration, the crossing being virtually level with the canal and right by the side of the new basin that has been built.
Existing canals
Is it that there is only interest in actual existing canals? If so it is very short sighted, as a great deal of work has already been accomplished on the Chesterfield Canal with much of it in water with new locks. I have often joined the many invitations for work parties, and look forward to it being completely restored, as the will is there.
I realise of course that there was a railway along the route of the canal between Staveley and Chesterfield which was the Chesterfield loop of the old Great Central, a main line from Marylebone to Manchester via Sheffield, but this followed the canal rather than cutting across it as the HS2 is planned.
Should be concerned
Both the Inland Waterways Association and the Canal & River Trust should be concerned more about any canal that could be decimated by the HS2 instead of just being concerned about existing canals. I find it strange that the Inland Waterways Association has been very involved with the restoration and the Chief Executive of the Canal & River Trust paid a visit to the Basin at Staveley at a function there, yet seems to be ignoring its future.