Visitors will soon be able to take a trip on Cromford Canal, thanks to work by Derbyshire County Council to dredge the waterway and the Friends of Cromford Canal, who will own and run a canal boat.
An electrically-powered canal boat arrived at Cromford Wharf at the weekend (Saturday 27 July). The boat, Birdswood, is powered by electricity.
The friends intend to run trips for visitors later in the summer, once crews have been trained.
Councillor Andy Botham, our Deputy Cabinet Member for Jobs, Economy and Transport said:
"Tourism is an important part of the local economy and it will be great to see the boat arrive. The boat trips will offer another attraction to draw people to this part of Derbyshire, which will benefit many other local businesses."
Chairman of the Friends of Cromford Canal, Matthew Rogers said, "This is an exciting time. The Friends look forward to providing boat trips and for this to play a role in attracting and retaining both existing and new visitors to the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site."
