Buxworth basin reopens after restoration

One of the country’s most important waterway treasures reopened in Buxworth last Wednesday following historic repairs.
By The Newsroom
Published 23rd Apr 2014, 08:00 BST
Bugsworth Basin, in Buxworth. Photo contributed.Bugsworth Basin, in Buxworth. Photo contributed.
Bugsworth Basin, in Buxworth. Photo contributed.

The Canal and River Trust and the Inland Waterways Protection Society have carried out essential restoration work to the 18th century Bugsworth Basin on the Peak Forest Canal thanks to a £76,400 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

The five-month project, involved the basin first being drained and fish carefully caught and relocated, before volunteers and skilled craftsman from the trust dismantled the basin’s wall.

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A 150-metre length of wharf wall has been rebuilt using many of the same techniques used to build the basin 200 years ago. Volunteers and staff took part in special training days which gave them the chance to learn historic skills, such as using traditional lime mortar.

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Built in 1796 by famous canal and tramway engineer, Benjamin Outram, Bugsworth Basin is part of the 14-mile long Peak Forest Canal running between Dukinfield to Bugsworth. The site is now a designated scheduled ancient monument.