History of the Erewash Canal

The Leicester Line of the Grand Union Canal is an amalgamation of several navigations. One of these is the Erewash Canal running from the Trent Navigation near Sawley to Langley Mill. There was much enthusiasm for the construction of this canal from supporters anxious to access coal and other goods along the Erewash Valley. Its enabling Act was passed in 1777 and, under engineer John Varley, the line was opened in 1779. The ensuing trade realised huge profits despite a mistake by Varley in calculating water levels, for which he was dismissed, that necessitated rebuilding the top lock only a year later.

The transportation of coal, quarry stone, bricks and metal goods at high financial return continued until the railways began to seriously erode profitability around the mid 19th Century. Through traffic via the Cromford and Nottingham Canals had collapsed and the only substantive operations remaining were in iron goods from the Stanton works and coal.

The Erewash Canal was bought by the Grand Union in 1932 and underwent a brief revival in carrying coal. More unusual cargoes included bomb shells during World War II and its last major commercial use was by boats serving Stanton.

In 1962 the former British Transport Commission declared the canal unnavigable above Gallows Inn to the north of the junction with the abandoned Nutbrook Canal.

At around the same time a preservation society was created and restoration work led to the Erewash Canal being upgraded in the 1980s from ‘remainder' to ‘cruiseway' status as defined by the Transport Act 1968. It is now popular with leisure boats and the houseboat community around Trent Lock is one of the longest established in the country.