Talk:Derby Canal

Holmes Aqueduct
As a Derby person, it grieves me to say it, but the Derby Canal aqueduct was not the first. According to Schofield, Telford's aqueduct was opened in March 1795, while Outram's was not open until 1796. (Schofield, R.B., (2000) Benjamin Outram, Cardiff: Merton Priory Press) Chevin 10:40, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

Dear Chevin

I can find many references which state that the Holmes aqueduct pre-dates the Longdon-on-Tern aqueduct but the reference you have quoted is the only one which disagrees. It is difficult to believe that Schofield's date is correct because the masonry aqueduct which was originally built at Longdon-on-Tern was not destroyed by flooding until 1795. Even if the masonry aqueduct was destroyed on January 1st 1795, getting a cast iron replacement designed, built and in-situ by March 1795 is a very difficult story to believe.

I think that Holmes Aqueduct's claim to pre-eminence in this article should be re-instated.

Below are just some of the references which disagree with Schofield.

[] [] [] [] []

Yours Faithfully Martin Cordon Martin Cordon 19:41, 5 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Thanks for your reply. I defer to your wider research. Chevin 09:30, 6 November 2006 (UTC)

added derbyshire project plate
Nice article. If the refs were in-line then it would be a B I think Victuallers 21:37, 27 September 2007 (UTC)

Derby and Sandiacre Canal
This name has been around since 1993. It is used by British Waterways, Derbyshire county Council, South Derbyshire council and the Derby and Sandiacre Canal Trust / Society. I suggest the page name is changed to "Derby and Sandiacre Canal". Renata (talk) 08:20, 26 July 2008 (UTC)
 * As I understand it the original Act has always been known as the "Derby Canal Act" Its full title beginning "An Act for making and maintaining a Navigable Canal from the River Trent, at or near Swarkstone. Bridge, to and through the Borough of Derby, .. .." Unfortunately I haven't yet been able to find the rest of it. However the Derby and Sandiacre branch was only part of it. The full extent of the canal was to Swarkestone, referred to in one document as the "Derby and Swarkstone Canal" in one direction and Little Eaton in the other, as well as to Sandiacre. Chevin (talk) 17:44, 26 July 2008 (UTC)

The full title of the Act is as follows: 33rd George III: An Act for making and maintaining a navigable Canal from the River Trent, at or near Swarkstone Bridge, to and through the borough of Derby, to Little Eaton, with a Cut out of the said Canal in or near the said borough, to join the Erewash Canal near Sandiacre, and for making Railways from such Canal to several Collieries in the parishes or liberties of Denby, Horslvy, and Smalley, all in the county of Derby.

[ http://books.google.com/books?id=eUqIucVmZjwC Priestley, J., (1831 Historical Account of the Navigable Rivers, Canals and Railways, Throughout Great Britain, as a Reference to Nichols, Priestley & Walker's New Map of Inland Navigation, Derived from Original and Parliamentary Documents, London: Longman, Rees, Orme, Brown and Green]

Questions about map
As someone who played on the canal in the 1970s and 80s a couple of things confuse me about the entry

A50 Culvert
I'm confused by positioning of the A50 Culvert on the map Shouldn't it be before Fullen's lock and be in place of Swarkestone Bridge

Agreed. The A50 Culvert is well to the south of Fullen's lock and should be where Swarkestone Bridge has been drawn. Unfortunately I do not seem to have access to edit the legend. Pmbarnes (talk) 12:00, 9 February 2010 (UTC)

Swarkestone Bridge
goes over the Trent at Swarkestone not the Canal. Canal did have a link to the Trent to the East of the Crewe and Harpur's Beer Garden. (How I'd love a pint of Pedigree in that Beer Garden)

FWIW the Derby Melborne Railway crossed the canal just beyond Fullen's lock towards Swarkeston

Hope this helps Biofuelsimon (talk) 00:03, 14 January 2010 (UTC)

Agreed again. Swarkestone Bridge crosses the Trent not the Canal so it should be removed from the legend. The remains of the link from the river to the Trent & Mersey Canal can be seen on the O.S. 1:2500 of 1901. It left the river to the west of the Crewe & Harpur and proceeded due north to join the Trent & Mersey midway between Swarkestone Stop and Lowes Lane bridge. Although the link had been closed since 1817 a small length from the river to the Crewe & Harpur is shown in water on the 1901 map which suggests that it may have been used for deliveries to the pub. Pmbarnes (talk) 12:21, 9 February 2010 (UTC)
 * I have moved the A50 as suggested. I will add the railway in a bit. Bob1960evens (talk) 17:06, 4 December 2011 (UTC)