Mining site restoration project gets under way

The wooden headstocks were removed from the site in December last year

Work on transforming a former mining site in Nottinghamshire into a wildlife-friendly area has begun.

The old Brinsley headstocks were closed off to the public in 2023 after a structural engineer raised safety concerns.

In July Broxtowe Borough Council confirmed it would be rebuilding the winch, with the restoration project also seeing new ponds built to help animals such as the endangered water vole.

Work on the ponds began on Monday, and the authority said the rebuilding of the headstocks was expected to be completed towards the end of 2025.

'Cultural asset'

Brinsley Colliery, off Mansfield Road, opened in 1842 and closed in 1934.

The pit had employed the father of author D.H. Lawrence, and features in one of his books.

Its wooden headstocks were originally moved to another pit before being taken to a mining museum and later returned, but they were removed from the site on safety grounds in December.

Following a public consultation the council went ahead with the decision to replace the headstocks.

The pond work has been partly funded by Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust with a £3,000 grant.

Milan Radulovic, leader of the borough council, said the site's restoration would also "pay respects to those that sadly lost their lives at the colliery".

"The site is a cultural asset to the borough, and we want to make sure it’s a site of historical significance that people want to come and visit," he said.

"We believe this restoration project not just helps restore the headstocks to their former glory, but the site will be further enhanced with additional biodiversity benefits."