Rotherham Council has approved a £10,000 contribution towards a feasibility study for a masterplan that could see restoration works and new leisure infrastructure along the Chesterfield Canal within the borough.
Scope of the masterplan
The study will feed into a long-term scheme that seeks to reinstate navigation along a remaining nine-mile (14km) stretch of the canal between Staveley and Kiveton Park. The project is managed through the Chesterfield Canal Partnership, which brings together the local authorities along the route, the Canal and River Trust, the Chesterfield Canal Trust and the Inland Waterways Association.
Within Rotherham, proposals highlighted so far include creating a marina at Kiveton Waters (presently used for fishing), upgraded towpaths to connect communities to the Trans Pennine Trail, quiet moorings in Rother Valley Country Park and measures to improve the local flood defence system. The plan also envisages restoring the historic Norwood Flight of 13 locks, a significant example of early canal engineering.
“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 quotation above came from Rob Auton, secretary of the Chesterfield Canal Trust, who described the council’s decision as "brilliant".
Background and previous progress
Work to restore the Chesterfield Canal has been ongoing for decades. Since 1989 more than 12 miles (19km) have been returned to use, together with restoration of 37 locks and 11 bridges. The current masterplan aims to make the entire route from Chesterfield to Kiveton navigable, completing the linkages that remain.
| Restoration metric | Completed (since 1989) |
|---|---|
| Canal miles restored | 12 miles (19km) |
| Locks restored | 37 |
| Bridges restored | 11 |
Local impacts and practical considerations
If progressed, proposed works in Rotherham would have a mix of recreational, environmental and flood-management outcomes. The inclusion of new walking and cycling routes aims to improve active travel links between communities and established trails, while the marina and moorings are intended to increase leisure use and visitor footfall.
Key elements proposed within Rotherham:
- Marina at Kiveton Waters (currently a fishing lake)
- Towpath upgrades linking to the Trans Pennine Trail
- Quiet moorings in Rother Valley Country Park
- Improvements to flood defences
- Restoration of the Norwood Flight of 13 locks
The £10,000 from Rotherham Council will contribute to the feasibility study rather than immediate construction. The study is intended to assess engineering needs, costs, environmental impacts and likely benefits before any detailed planning or funding bids are made.
For residents and local groups, the study represents the next formal step in a project that has seen sustained volunteer and partnership effort over decades. Any future work will require further funding, planning consents and stakeholder engagement, including assessments of environmental protection and flood risk management.
As the masterplan progresses, ward councillors, park managers and canal organisations will be among those watching closely to see how proposals translate into deliverable schemes that balance heritage conservation, public access and environmental resilience.
