Heritage Audit of the Peak Forest Tramway and the Cromford High Peak Railway

ARCUS in conjunction with Derbyshire County Council were commissioned by English Heritage to undertake a Heritage Audit of all the surviving archaeological features along the routes of the former Peak Forest Tramway (PFT) and Cromford and High Peak Railway (CHPR) in Derbyshire. The project was funded through the Aggregates Levy Scheme Fund (ALSF), project number 33575. The project was divided into two stages: an archive search undertaken during September to October 2003, and baseline surveys during October to December 2003. All the fieldwork involved the use of a proforma record forms and digital photography. The Peak Forest Tramway was completed in 1796 and the Cromford and High Peak Railway in 1830. Although they were operated using different technologies, both were fundamental to the rapid expansion of the nineteenth century limestone industry in Derbyshire. A total of 63 sites were identified along the 6 mile long route of the PFT and 418 sites along the 37.5 miles comprising the route of the CHPR. The intention of the survey was to produce a consolidated body of data to inform the future presentation and long term management of each route. To aid this process and to act as a primary archive, all the new sites identified have been added to the Derbyshire County Council Sites and Monuments Record in Matlock. This information is linked to Ordnance Survey map tiles and has the potential to form the basis for a GIS system. A future stage of the project is intended to utilise the wealth of information gathered during this survey to enhance the public understanding of both routes. It is perceived that this may be in the form of additional information boards, leaflets and a website incorporated as part of a wider heritage tourism strategy for North Derbyshire.