Erewash Valley facts for kids
The Erewash Valley is a special area of land in England. It follows the River Erewash, which flows between the counties of Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire. This valley stretches all the way to the larger River Trent. It sits where the hills of Derbyshire meet the flatter lands of Nottinghamshire.
For a long time, the Erewash Valley was very important. It was known for its huge amounts of valuable minerals. These included a lot of coal, which was found in the ground from Yorkshire down to Leicestershire.
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Why Was the Erewash Valley Important for Transport?
The Erewash Valley has always been a key route for moving things around. In the past, people needed good ways to transport goods, especially coal. This led to the building of canals and railways.
Canals: Waterways for Trade
Canals were like man-made rivers. They helped boats carry heavy goods easily. The Erewash Canal was built first. It opened in 1779. This canal connected the River Trent to a place called Langley Mill.
Later, in 1794, the Cromford Canal was added. It extended the waterway system. It even had a branch that went to Pinxton. These canals were vital for moving coal and other products.
Railways: The Age of Trains
After canals, railways became the new way to transport goods quickly. In 1819, the Mansfield and Pinxton Railway joined the canal system at Pinxton. This meant coal could be moved even faster.
Later, a big railway company called the Midland Railway built more lines. They connected their main route at Trent Junction to the Mansfield and Pinxton line. This new railway path became known as the Erewash Valley Line. It helped connect places like Chesterfield to the wider railway network.
The Amazing Bennerley Viaduct
The Erewash Valley is also home to a very special old bridge. It is called the Bennerley Viaduct. This huge bridge is made of wrought iron. It is a Grade II* listed structure, which means it is very important and protected.
The Bennerley Viaduct is no longer used by trains. But it once carried the GNR Derbyshire and Staffordshire Extension railway line. It is a fantastic example of old engineering. It shows how clever people were at building things a long time ago.
