Bugsworth Basin, Buxsworth, Derbyshire

English Heritage ALSF summaries. 2002/2003

EH Project Number:	3521MAIN
Funded Unit:	British Waterways

The Project Aim

This project seeks to develop sustainable tourism specifically by:
Creating a tourist destination on the fringe of the Peak District National Park, raising the profile of the Buxworth and surrounding area and generating economic activity.
Restoring a derelict Ancient Monument to a working navigation.
Promoting the Peak Forest Tramway as a recreation route.

Background

Bugsworth Basin is the Terminal Basin Complex for the Peak Forest Canal. It became one of the largest ports on the English narrow canal network during the 19th century, and remains unique as the only complete example of a canal and tramway terminus in Britain. Bugsworth Basin was granted the status of a Scheduled Ancient Monument in 1977.

The Basin freehold is owned by British Waterways (BW). In 1992, The Inland Waterways Protection Society (IWPS) entered into a 50 year lease with obligations to restore, manage and operate the Basin.

Significant progress has been made above ground on landscape restoration, installation of interpretation material, footbridge reconstruction and new services. These works and other structural improvements were supported by British Waterways funding, ERDF contributions and Derelict Land Grant from Derbyshire County Council. However, despite a 100 metre length of canal relining in 1997, there remains a significant backlog of major restoration work to ensure the integrity of the navigation infrastructure.

Following the completion of critical dredging works the Basin was opened to boating traffic in Easter 1999. The opening proved to be highly successful with a significant increase in boating and walking activity in the Basin. Anecdotal evidence also suggests increased economic activity for local traders and businesses. The fragile nature of the drystone walls lining the Basin and approach arm soon became apparent as the Basin welcomed powered craft for the first time in its history. A series of wall collapses and near breaches led to the complete closure of the Basin in October 1999. Subsequent studies into the extent of water loss at the Basin indicated that over a single season these amounted to the equivalent of the water holdings at Toddbrook Reservoir.

Throughout the "open" period the IWPS worked closely with BW on operational issues, particularly when faced with a need for emergency response to a breach situation; the October 1999 breach resulted in significant risk to the health & safety of the public and local residents and was not within the means of the IWPS to resolve independently. BW acted on behalf of the IWPS to respond to the emergency and complete works to restore access and the public right of way.

Project Description

The project seeks to address the current conditions at Bugsworth Basin, which are
as follows:

- Leakage problems related to significant deterioration of the 200-year-old fabric, in particular poor quality clay puddle, presence of buttresses behind the canal wall without puddle clay surround and permeable canal walls.

Note:
The Basin is sited on poor ground and generally has drystone walls and clay lining. This ancient fabric has been exposed to the elements over many decades due to the derelict state of the Basin since its closure in the early 1900s. The resultant drying out of the clay lining has left the Basin in a poor condition to the extent that piecemeal patch repairs by the voluntary sector in the past 20 years have only served to divert and intensify the problems of leakage on adjacent lengths of wall.
This general dilapidation coupled with the arrival of powered craft in 1999 for the first time in the Basin's life (previously only worked by horse-drawn boats) led to rapid and widespread deterioration of the lining far in excess of what could have been predicted.
The 1999 season was a success in terms of demonstrating the tourism potential of the Basin and the previous investment in services and relining a vulnerable section of the canal has laid foundations for a more comprehensive restoration of the infrastructure.
To ensure that navigation in the Basin can be sustained British Waterways have committed £30,000 of revenue funds to undertake a comprehensive ground investigation, which will lead to the development of an engineering solution and detailed cost estimates.

- Under use and poor interpretation of the Peak Forest tramway route linking Bugsworth to the adjoining villages of Chinley, Chapel Milton, and Chapel-en-le-Frith.

Project Objectives

The project has the following objectives:

- To create a unique tourist destination on the fringe of the Peak District National Park.
- To secure the long-term future of an Ancient Monument as a waterway destination.

Through a programme of improvements and enhancements the following benefits will be achieved:

- Long term structural integrity of the Basin will be ensured providing the foundations for development and delivery of the vision for the Basin as a living museum.
- The "working" Basin will enhance the leisure and tourism potential of the general area, stimulating the rural economy and safeguarding local employment.
- The Basin will provide a focus for local events and outdoor activities
- An additional 11,000 visitors will visit the local area and generate an additional £127,000 in the local economy.
- 6 jobs will be safeguarded
- The project will generate an additional 1350 visitor overnight stays per year
 

This page was last updated on Monday 19 May 2003