This week the society started the work to dig out the canal lock situated at the end of the canal route that will be joining with the Erewash Canal. The initial work involved a small team of volunteers helping a specialist firm obtain the necessary soil samples that need to be taken for independent checking by another independent analyst.
Soil samples have been taken at various levels and the results are expected shortly, once we have these results we will then be able to work out our costs accurately and then strive to raise much needed funds for this work.
This will then mean that the Society and Trust can then proceed to commence excavation of the lock in early Spring next year and allow us to make any necessary repairs and complete an archaeological dig out of the lower levels.
We have spoken to many of the local residents who have passed on valuable information regarding how the canal lock was initially filled in and what other work has been undertaken over the years and spent many hours talking to the vast amount of people who walk this route on a daily basis, many of which have since become members to support us.
Full details of any update are available on our web site, along with details how you can join us to help on this project.
Picture shows the team at work with the excavation of soil and the subsequent in-filling to ensure public safety.
Digging back to Derby - Sandiacre December 2015