Andy M Photo
Sandiacre Junction - Erewash & Derby Canals.
This the 15th pencil study from the Derby Canal Series, captures the Eastern entranc, from the adjacent bank of the Erewash Canal. Just beyond the little accommodation bridge, lies Sandiacre Bottom Lock, the first encounted on the Derby system, and making Derby accessible to the Cromford (Arkwright Mills, etc) and Nottingham canals, plus the River Trent & Soar Navigations and the rest of the national network. It was built wide enough to accommodate a single Trent Barge or two Narrow Boats side by side through the locks. This also gave access to the seaports on the River Humber, and international markets. Thus being a vital transport link before the arrival of the railways. And a chief facilitator of Derby's growth as an industrial centre in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today the Erewash Canal is a quiet, but still navigable Waterway. The bridge still exists, but is blocked off, the lock chamber behind it is part excavated, but needs much work to fully restore, the rest of the route towards Derby, is a footpath. The entrance is still used by moored boats, and the Swans continue to patrol their territory. Historic & personal photographs have been used to create this picture
Sandiacre Junction - Erewash & Derby Canals.
This the 15th pencil study from the Derby Canal Series, captures the Eastern entranc, from the adjacent bank of the Erewash Canal. Just beyond the little accommodation bridge, lies Sandiacre Bottom Lock, the first encounted on the Derby system, and making Derby accessible to the Cromford (Arkwright Mills, etc) and Nottingham canals, plus the River Trent & Soar Navigations and the rest of the national network. It was built wide enough to accommodate a single Trent Barge or two Narrow Boats side by side through the locks. This also gave access to the seaports on the River Humber, and international markets. Thus being a vital transport link before the arrival of the railways. And a chief facilitator of Derby's growth as an industrial centre in the 18th and 19th centuries. Today the Erewash Canal is a quiet, but still navigable Waterway. The bridge still exists, but is blocked off, the lock chamber behind it is part excavated, but needs much work to fully restore, the rest of the route towards Derby, is a footpath. The entrance is still used by moored boats, and the Swans continue to patrol their territory. Historic & personal photographs have been used to create this picture