Restoration in Nottinghamshire

The canal passes into Nottinghamshire at the River Ryton aqueduct at Shireoaks, and work is now complete on the two - mile section to connect with the cruiseway at Worksop. Work again is managed by British Waterways in conjunction with Nottinghamshire County Council, with funding from English Partnerships. Eight locks have been rebuilt and an additional shallow lock, Boundary Lock, built at Shireoaks adjacent to the River Ryton aqueduct to counter disturbance in levels due to mining subsidence.

A new marina for around 60 craft has been constructed at Shireoaks on the former colliery site, and it is anticipated that the site will be further developed with housing and possibly a pub/restaurant.
Two major bridge obstructions have been removed on this section, one at Shireoaks and one at Rhodesia. Boats can now reach Shireoaks from Worksop and the River Trent for the first time since 1949.
Towpath improvements will allow cycling on the section between Shireoaks and Bracebridge Lock at Worksop, as part of the Inverness to Dover National Cycle Network. Cycling is not permitted elsewhere on the canal in Nottinghamshire or Rotherham.
At Retford Basin unsightly buildings have been demolished and an original eighteenth century warehouse is now converted into a cafe/bistro, with canalside car parking. The canal has been drained and bank protection works undertaken. A range of interpretation signs for the canal in the Retford area have been erected. Discussions concerning the possible re-use of other canalside buildings in Retford, currently vacant, are continuing.