Marina plans move forward after grant approval

Plans which could see the creation of a marina along the Rotherham stretch of the Chesterfield Canal have taken a step forward.

Rotherham Council has approved a contribution of £10,000 towards a feasibility study for a long-term plan to restore a nine-mile (14km) section of the waterway between Staveley and Kiveton Park.

The masterplan also includes new walking and cycling routes.

Secretary of Chesterfield Canal Trust, Rob Auton, described the news as 'brilliant".

The scheme is part of the Chesterfield Canal Partnership which aims to make the whole route from Chesterfield to Kiveton navigable.

The organisation is made up of the local authorities along the route of the canal along with the Canal and River Trust, the Chesterfield Canal Trust and the Inland Waterways Association.

Since 1989, more than 12 miles (19km) of the canal have been restored along with 37 locks and 11 bridges.

Within Rotherham, proposals include creating a marina at Kiveton Waters, which is currently used for fishing, alongside new towpaths linking communities with the Trans Pennine Trail.

Quiet moorings are planned for Rother Valley Country Park and improvements to flood defence system.

The scheme also envisages restoring the historic Norwood Flight of 13 locks, described as one of the country's most significant surviving examples of early canal engineering.

According to Auton these are "very rare" in canal design:

"They are not just single locks. There are three triple staircases - a staircase is when you get one lock which goes into another lock, into another lock, without a gap inbetween.

"There are three triple staircases and a quadruple staircase. These are incredibly rare.

"People talk about the Bingley Five Rise but that's boring compared to what we've got."

The collapsed right miles around Norwood Tunnel are also set for repair, and engineers are considering either a new tunnel beneath the M1 or a series of locks using an existing underpass.

A visitor centre, cafe and landmark boat lift have also been suggested as a possible alternative to part of the lock flight, although these would require further funding and approvals.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust aims to have sections at Staveley, Killamarsh, and Renishaw filled with water in time for the canal's 250th anniversary in 2027.

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