Restoration in Rotherham
The canal passes into Rotherham, South Yorkshire, near the Rother Valley Country Park entrance on the A618 Mansfield Road in Killamarsh, and climbs by 13 derelict locks to the western portal of the closed Norwood Tunnel. This section, not currently under restoration, is in private ownership and no attempt should be made to deviate from the footpath onto the locks. A footpath climbs the hill above the tunnel portal and leads under the M1 motorway and eventually down to the eastern portal. A guide to the route across the tunnel top may be had from the Canal Trust.
The footpath crosses the site of the former Kiveton Park Colliery above the tunnel. Yorkshire Forward's ongoing plans for the restoration of the former colliery site are currently under discussion. Further proposals, which are subject to the availability of funding and may include gaining access to the canal by removing part of the cover of the collapsed tunnel, are also being considered. While works on the former colliery site continue there may be times when the footpath is closed.

The whole canal east of the Norwood tunnel was restored to full navigation in July 2003. The twenty two locks which descend to Cinderhill are all grade 2 listed structures, and were restored with financial assistance from English Partnerships and the Heritage Lottery Fund. Much important evidence about lock construction on one of the country's earliest canals was gained from the restoration.