The Dearne and Dove Canal

In the last issue we looked at the canal from Hoyle Mill to Stairfoot.  In this section

Peter Hadfield takes us along the canal from just beyond Stairfoot to Wombwell.

We start this section from the site of Cork/Chalk Lane Bridge.  Turning right off the A633 (the road from Stairfoot to Wombwell) just after where Screwfix is today is Chalk Lane which takes you to an area called Swaithe.

            The canal ran underneath the bridge which is now demolished.  The canal bed can be seen as you look back towards Stairfoot.  Looking towards Wombwell is the site of what was known as Aldham Eight Locks or alternatively known to many as The Stairfoot flight.  This entire section has now being filled in and grassed over its entire length with the exception of a hardstanding section of the Aldham stables complex and the bridge carrying the River Dove under the canal.

            The next visible reminder of where the canal went is at Aldham Bridge which spanned the A633.  The bridge has long gone but the canal bed to the railway bridge which carried the Wath to Penistone railway, now part of the Tran-Pennine Trail, is visible, although trees stand where the water once was. 

            The line of the canal can be seen from the former Mitchell Main Railway  level crossing on Bradbury Baulk Lane to Wombwell by the way a line of trees being dissected by the Wombwell by pass.  The canal bed and towpath on the approach to Station Lane are clearly visible.  The former towpath is now part of the walkway.

            The site of the Station Lane canal bridge is now occupied by the road roundabout serving Wombwell town centre, Low Valley and a contunation of the by-pass towards Brampton.  Station Lane WMC is still open today.  The canal bed runs adjacent to the by-pass and is still in place in sections.  Everill Gate Lane and the by-pass runs across the former site of the canal.  The road leading to the A6195 Dearne Valley by-pass at the end of the Wombwell by-pass again traverses the former canal bed.  At this point our journey ends.  In the next issue we will look at the Elsecar and Worsbrough branches of the canal.