New Discovery on R54

Sadly, there are few remaining relics of the Great Northern Railway along NCN Route 54 between Mickleover and Egginton, most having been removed when the railway closed.
So we were delighted to see, during ground clearance operations by the Community Sevice Payback Team, this brick parapet, edging a culvert which runs beneath the path between Sutton Lane Bridge and the A516 underpass.
It had not seen the light of day for many years, being covered by ivy and the surrounding trees.
Trains would have once passed close by this parapet, since it aligns perfectly with Sutton Lane Bridge (seen in the background in the photograph), although the (by then) disused railway line was cut through by the construction of the Etwall by-pass, the A516.
Beyond the wall lies a small pond which connects with Etwall Brook on the opposite side of the path. We are looking into how we can make best use of these features.