began to lose its business and in the 1920s the Peak Forest Tramway and Bugsworth Basin closed. Later, the lower level of the canal and Marple locks fell into disuse, to the extent that by the early 1960s the lower part of the canal was impassable. Restoration In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Peak Forest Canal Society and the Inland Waterways Association campaigned for the restoration of the Peak Forest and Ashton Canals, and they reopened on 1 April 1974. The Lower Peak Forest Canal, from Dukinfield Junction to Marple, was one of seven stretches of canal formally designated as remainder waterways that were re-classified by the British Waterways Act of 8 February 1983. Under the act, a total of 82 route miles (132 km) were upgraded to Cruising Waterway Standard. Bugsworth Basin remained derelict for much longer, but was the subject of long-term restoration attempts by the Inland Waterways Protection Society. It was finally re-opened to navigation in 2003 after professional restoration work was undertaken by British Waterways. In October 2021, lock numbers 5, 7, 9 and 16 were among 142 sites across England to receive part of a £35-million grant from the government's Culture Recovery Fund. See also Narrowboat References Schofield, R.B., (2000) Benjamin Outram, Cardiff: Merton Priory Press Ripley, D., (1989) "The Peak Forest Tramway including the Peak Forest Canal" Oakwood Press External links Virtual Tour images & map of mile markers seen along the Peak Forest canals Canals in England Canals opened in 1796 Canals in Cheshire Canals in Derbyshire Canals in Manchester Canals in the Metropolitan Borough of Stockport Canals in Tameside Manchester, Sheffield and Lincolnshire Railway 1796 establishments in England New Mills Marple, Greater Manchester Whaley Bridge