THE biggest restriction to the completion of the restoration of the Chesterfield Canal is Norwood Tunnel, that collapsed due to mining subsidence in 1907, ending passage from the Trent to Chesterfield.
Then in 1968 the M1 Motorway was build over the tunnel, further damaging its structure, though the canal was used as two separate entities. Though the Western section ceased carrying goods after the Great War, the Eastern section to Stockwith carried on until 1955.
Not a permanent stoppage
Yet the Chesterfield Canal Trust do not see it as a permanent stoppage to the complete restoration of the waterway from the Trent to Chesterfield, having completed a great deal of work including new locks at the Western end together with a new basin at Staveley.
To this end an inspection of the Eastern end of the tunnel was made this week, first breaking through the brick wall using a small dingy by engineers from Canal & River Trust together with members of the Chesterfield Canal Trust.
Inspected
The engineers inspected the tunnel 520 yards up to the collapsed section, using a small dinghy looking for signs of cracks and leaks and to assess the overall condition of the tunnel. Their report of course will signify the amount of work needed to either eventually restore the tunnel, or where it is close to the surface, open it out, but its overall condition gives great hope.
The 2,843 yards long tunnel was the longest canal tunnel in Britain when it was officially opened in May 1775 and constructed by James Brindley, who was working on the tunnel at the time of his death in 1772, the work then being passed to John Varley and latterly Hugh Henshall.
Would like to see it used
Robin Stonebridge, Chairman of Chesterfield Canal Trust explained:
"The Norwood was without doubt one of Brindley's gems, and we would like to see it used as part of the canal restoration. The tunnel has been considered for many years as the one obstacle to further restoration of the Chesterfield Canal. We view this as a great chance to see what state this part of the tunnel is in, and work with the Canal & River Trust on how we can get the canal up into Kiveton Waters."