Whatstandwell Canal Retaining Wall: Archaeological supervision and recording (OASIS ID: archaeol5-331656)

Archaeological Research Services Ltd (ARS Ltd) was commissioned by Greenford Ltd working on behalf of Derbyshire County Council to undertake a targeted programme of archaeological supervision and recording during the re-building of the collapsed retaining wall at Bridge 13 on the Cromford Canal at Whatstandwell, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 5HE. The elements uncovered during the archaeological works are fully consistent with what is known about the appearance and function of Brindley Gates, but not consistent with other types of canal gates, e.g. stop gates, that must be raised manually. Stop plank facilities were observed to be present either end of the mechanism. These are likely to be original features, though a later date is also possible. The observed evidence points to a simple conclusion: that there was only a single gate in operation in this location. This gate would have closed the canal off in case of a breach of the canal retaining walls to the south of the gate, but not in case of a breach of the retaining wall to the north. There must therefore be another Brindley Gate (or possibly a pair of gates) fairly close by, which would close off the canal in case of a breach of the retaining wall to the south. This gate should be located to the south of the one at Whatstandwell.