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 Walton Colliery - Walton, UK Posted by:  dtrebilc
N 53° 39.590 W 001° 27.645
30U E 601713 N 5946775
Minining on this site first started in the 17th Century, but serious mining activity started with the digging of a new shaft in 1890. Mining finally ceased in 1979.
Waymark Code: WM17GGK
Location: Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/18/2023
Views: 0
This notice board has the following information.
Welcome to Walton Colliery Nature Park
Local Nature Reserve
History
Walton Colliery Local Nature Reserve stands on the site formerly known as Sharlston West. The colliery employed 1,285 men underground and 298 on the surface and had a daily output of 2,200 tons. On 22nd April 1959 the Walton Colliery disaster happened resulting in 5 men losing their lives in an underground explosion.
The former colliery spoil heaps have been largely covered with subsoil obtained from the excavation of significant water features. Restoration was completed in the mid 1990s and since then the site blossomed into an established Local Nature Reserve well used by walkers, cyclists, fishermen and local horse riders.
Wildlife
The site provides a mosaic of habitats in the form of grassland, wetland, scrub and woodland. These habitats are home to a range of different flora and fauna. The most important species being the Yellow Meadow Ant, Cuckoo, Grass Snake, Common Spotted and Southern Marsh Orchids and Green Woodpecker.
Mine Type: Abandoned Mine
Mineral Collecting: Not Known
Material Mined: Coal, Lignite
Operation: Underground Mine
Surface Features: No
KNOWN DANGERS:
None
Any Other information:
Although there is little direct evidence of the mine left, the park is bounded by railway lines on three sides and the remains of The Barnsley Canal are still visible albeit these days it looks more like a small stream rather than a canal.
It was the presence of the canal, and later the railways that gave the mine good transport links and helped in its success.
As well as the various paths within the park, the Trans Pennine Trail passes through the park This Long Distance cycling and walking trail connects Southport on the west coast of England with Hornsea on the east coast. At this point it mainly follows the the route of the Barnsley Canal which, no longer used and built over in many places, does have places along here that have small amounts of water remaining.
Any associated website: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
Optional photograph welcomed.
Recent Visits/Logs:
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