IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Stoney Lane, NOTTINGHAM, NG9 3NZ

This footpath goes from the former Nottingham Canal north of Trowell to the south eastern end of Ilkeston, crossing river and railway on the way.

A derelict house, damaged by fire in 2004, receiving some loving care and attention, not before time either. This shot was taken just inside the adjacent square from the footpath along the old Nottingham Canal, which is now filled in this section. The town in the distance is Ilkeston in Derbyshire, the county boundary running along the River Erewash amongst the trees beyond the recreation field.

Footpath following the line of the disused Nottingham Canal.

Broxtowe Borough Council has laid out many walks around the area. This is Circular Walk number 6 which includes some walking along the old Nottingham Canal route. This is the point where the path leaves the Canal public footpath and heads for Gallows Inn on the eastern edge of Ilkeston. Note how steep the steps are. The canal was constructed along the side of the hill following the 60 metre contour. At the bend, where the grid boundary with SK4740 crosses, the path is about 5 metres lower and drops away even further to 40 metres before it levels out.

A Class 58 heads a southbound coal train along the Erewash Valley line.

A USA built class 70 diesel locomotive takes empty coal hoppers through Trowell Junction, south of Chesterfield.

Course of the Nottingham Canal near Trowell.

A pair of class 56 diesel locomotives head an empty stone train north through Trowell Junction towards Chesterfield.

In common with many similar canals, the Nottingham Canal closed to commercial traffic before the Second World War. Much of the route, however, can still be easily traced and some stretches still have water - although not here. The canal connected the River Trent at Nottingham with Langley Mill, effectively duplicating the parallel Erewash Canal, which still remains as a leisure waterway. Proposals to restore the canal came to nothing; in Nottingham itself the route has been completely obliterated by modern development and further north it has been badly affected by mining subsidence.

For some reason, from here the adjacent public footpath (left) and public bridleway are separated from one another by a fence. This stretch of canal has been filled in, but the grassed area to the east of the paths was fairly boggy on this occasion.