As we rose through Sandiacre Lock we were greeted by a delightful group of higgledy piggledy red brick cottages built in c1779. It was part lockkeepers cottage and the window this end is where the tolls would have been collected. Apparently it remains unspoilt inside retaining many original features.
The buildings have been saved and preserved by the Erewash Canal Preservation and Development Association. This plaque on the front is dedicated to it’s founder.
This picture shows the Lock/Toll Cottage and the disused Derby Arm opened in1796 goes off to the right. It is in water up to the first bridge, but from there on it was infilled after closure. Some locals told me that the council and others filled it with rubbish and now it forms a well surfaced nine mile cycle route into Derby. The smooth surfaced towpaths form part of Route 67 of the National Cycleway (Sustrans). There are plans underway to reopen this canal in the future. This area makes a wonderful mooring, just the continual roar of the distant traffic to spoil it a bit.
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