New lock gates have been fitted on the Chesterfield Canal by Derbyshire County Council to improve the passage of boat traffic.

As part of ongoing maintenance of the restored section of the canal the old worn out lock gates at Wheeldon Mill Lock, near Brimington were replaced after they had deteriorated to a stage where they were not watertight.


The new locks cost £34,000 to manufacture and fit and were installed by specialist firm Hargreaves Lock Gates helped by local company Shire Cranes.

They are made of Ekki, a hardwood from sustainable sources and have an expected lifespan of at least 20 years.

The council's Tapton Lock Visitor Centre has a display about Chesterfield Canal and its history plus other leaflets, self-guided walks and information about the area.

There are five miles from Chesterfield to Staveley open for boating and Chesterfield Canal Trust volunteers run boat trips from the visitor centre on Sundays and Bank Holiday Mondays through the summer months.

(CD/GK)