Origins Erewash Canal

erewash aqueduct near shipley gate in 2007

the canal obtained act of parliament in 1777 john varley appointed engineer , john , james pinkerton main contractors, completed in 1779 @ cost of £21,000 (£2,545,310 in 2015),. commercial success start transporting coal.

the canal s success kept going far longer many of contemporaries in face of competition railways. when grand union canal company took on running of erewash in 1932 still going concern. canal nationalised in 1947. time closure of feeder canals resulting in loss of trade , competition other forms of transport making felt , last commercial narrowboat delivered cargo in 1952. in 1962 british transport commission closed top section of canal. however, kept in water supply lower half of canal , remained navigable.

the main line long eaton langley mill 1 of 7 stretches of canal, formally designated remainder waterways, re-classified british waterways act of 8 february 1983. under act, total of 82 route miles (132 km) upgraded cruising waterway standard.