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I have to admit seeing this amazing news today certainly made me smile:

 

https://www.chesterfield-canal-trust.org.uk/new-ferry-possibility-for-killamarsh/

 

Quote

Rother Ferry Possibility for Killamarsh

The Rother Link has taken a huge step forward following an expression of interest from RiverFerriesUK.

FB10.jpgThe Rother Link is a proposal to join the restored Chesterfield Canal in Killamarsh to the South Yorkshire Navigation in Rotherham, using the River Rother. It is estimated that only four locks will be needed on the whole seven mile stretch of water.

RiverFerriesUK would commission a fleet of electric powered shallow draught ferries. If they were either of hydofoil or multihulled design, they would be capable of speeds unheard of on canals – probably 30 to 40 m.p.h. If the four locks en route were to be remotely controllable, the ferries could get through each one in less than five minutes. This would give a potential journey time of 30 minutes between Killamarsh and Rotherham – much less than the time taken by car or public transport in rush hour.

At the Rotherham terminus, the ferries would make use of the large car park at Rotherham FC’s New York Stadium. This gives easy access to the Tram Train already in operation between Sheffield and Rotherham.

At the Killamarsh terminus, there would be a new car park at Nethermoor Lake, probably at the boat lift site (see below). It would be possible to extend the Sheffield Supertram by a mile from its present terminus at Halfway to Killamarsh.

The River Rother passes within a few hundred yards of the new Gullivers Valley, due to open this summer and goes right through Rother Valley Country Park.

The Chesterfield Canal Trust has proposals to build a new boat lift coming out of Nethermoor Lake. This could operate as a stand-alone attraction until the rest of the canal’s restoration is complete.

Thus the new ferries could operate a non-stop commuter service during rush hours and tourist trips during the daytime and at weekends stopping off at various points along the route.

Chesterfield Canal Trust Publicity Officer, Rod Auton, said: “When the proposal documents first arrived with the Trust, the whole idea was dismissed as the work of a crank. However, closer inspection suddenly made the idea seem not only possible, but a potentially hugely popular tourist proposition. It is precisely this sort of commercial interest in the magnificent possibilities being generated by the canal’s restoration that drives us on. We are committed to getting our beautiful canal fully restored by 2027 and are delighted to welcome RiverFerriesUK as our latest partners.”

Dr P Abril, Forward Planning Director for RiverFerriesUK, said: “River ferry boat technology has made a quantum leap forward in recent years. We have been looking for suitable locations to expand our operations and the Rother Link ticks all the right boxes. Suitability for both commuter and daytime traffic is essential and this route matches both criteria. We see great possibilities for expansion, for example the huge new Waverley housing estate is no distance from the river, so we might put a stop in there.”

FB7.jpg

A river ferry already in use in London. RiverFerriesUK are looking to commission scaled down versions of this type of vessel, probably carrying about 60 passengers.

Category: CCT General news

 

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