The village of Shelton Lock is about 4 miles south of the City of Derby on the A514, Located between Allenton and Chellaston. The Derby Canal once ran though Shelton Lock.
The Derby Canal was commissioned in 1793 and Benjamin Outram was appointed engineer. When the canal was opened in 1796, it was 14 miles long, and ran from a junction with the Erewash Canal at Sandiacre to a junction with the Trent and Mersey Canal at Swarkestone.
The canal had three branches. One branch ran from Swarkestone to the River Trent, falling through 4 locks. One ran from White Bear Lock, which rose through Phoenix Lock to the River Derwent, the river was navigable at this point for some 15 miles to Darley Mills. The third branch was to Little Eaton which rose through 4 locks from the main line. This branch was connected by tramroad (Gangways) to the Denby Collieries. See my Little Eaton page for more info.
A metal aqueduct, believed to be the first in the country, about 40 feet long and built at Butterly Ironworks, carried the canal over the Mill Fleam in Derby. A road bridge passed over the aqueduct. Some 2 miles from Swarkestone was a large embankment, containing a similar aqueduct over Cuttle Brook.
The
Derby Canal was owned by the Derby Canal Company and was never nationalised.
It was abandoned in 1964 but now the Derby Canal Society are bringing
it back to life again so soon we will all be able to enjoy it again. Please
see the Derby Canal website for more information.
Image Reference No. : DP-091101SHELTON-01
Date photo taken : 9th November 2001
Other Information : This is the New Bridge Inn Pub which replaced the original one. The original public house was named after the canal bridge built here in the 1790's.
Image Reference No. : DP-091101SHELTON-02
Date photo taken : 9th November 2001
Other Information : This is the main post office in Shelton Lock.
Image Reference No. : DP-091101SHELTON-03
Date photo taken : 9th November 2001
Other Information : This bridge still shows evidence of the canal, You can see the stonework at the sides of the path. Underneath this bridge is a painted mural reflecting the days of the Canal with horse drawn narrow boats etc.
It was painted in 1990 by the pupils of Merrill School.
