The Derby Canal remained privately owned by the Derby Canal Company, as many others were nationalised, it was first opened in 1796 and ran between the Erewash Canal at Sandiacre and the Trent and Mersey Canal at Swarkestone a distance of around 14 miles, it closed down in 1964, but plans are afoot by the Derby and Sandiacre canal society to restore this.

Above left is an old advertisement painted on the side of the Council owned building, on London Road, Alvaston just about opposite to Wickes, this would have been next to the old canal and above right is the path of the canal, the bridge carry's the main A6 through Alvaston

One of the themed sign posts on the cycle track, that cuts through Alvaston Park, adjacent to the River Derwent

The A514 Chellaston Road Bridge opposite and below the murals under the bridge that the pupils of Merrill School painted in 1990 depicting former canal life, complete with graffiti and rubbish strewn around!

Milestone marker commemorating the Canal and as it says 6 miles to Tonge and 4 miles to Derby

A view from the old towpath of the sprawling RR test beds at Sinfin

Swarkestone Lock showing the old route of the Canal, the pictures above left and right shows what is left, which is around 50 metres, on the right is the old bridge that the Canal went underneath

Above are a couple of Narrow boats navigating down the Trent & Mersey Canal towards Swarkestone lock and below left the lock is rapidly filling up, below right 2 Narrow boats have risen up from the lower level and are ready to continue their journey