Industrial Developments

New Hucknall Colliery

Pit Yard Access

Sinking a more extensive Huthwaite colliery upon formerly known Hucknall Commons about ½ mile below the residential core, long left most miners that minimum walking distance to work, although majority were typically accustomed to far further travels on foot.

Carrier carts further assist relocation of larger family households who'd claim newly built housing along Blackwell Road and off the central Main street. They'd take main route into the New Hucknall Colliery yard heading down the most recently laid Common Road to turn left into the Pit Lane entrance. Surfacing that cart track better recognised the Pit Road that gave all motorised road vehicles just one access point. Company bus and lorry deliveries shared increasing use from 1970s car owners wanting Pit Yard parking.

Straighter southward path was gained from Sutton Road pit housing by joining the original Mill Lane farm track through the later Welfare Park. After housing extended Columbia Street that added an alternative Cross Lane connection also joining Mill Lane.

Boundary Terrace residents could follow the collieries tramway route which had simply delivered tub coals for local sale through its nearby Huthwaite Road land wharf. When commuting miners came from further afield on 1906 electrified street passenger trams, they'd alight at the Colliery Loop to take same footpath. Entry is retained, long after also replacing the adjacent sports grounds.

Among many longer footpaths soon managing to connect all neighbouring collieries sharing broader employment, is one viewed from behind the original Mapplewells pub off Alfreton Road. That footpath bridging rear railway sidings would have been much more familiar for those who'd regularly walk between neighbouring areas of Fulwood, Sutton and Kirkby in Ashfield.

A GCR footbridge locally called New Bridge provided miners a Fulwood Cutting walkway between South Normanton colliery. The safe crossing of New Hucknall Sidings rail tracks plus a busier London mainline also made it a favourable trainspotters vantage point.

An informally descriptive Pit Road always provided main entrance into New Hucknall Colliery grounds. Industrial closure and 1982 clearance still left Colliery Houses and past NCB offices. They actually held old Mill Lane postal address at its southern extreme, despite no through road from Sutton Road. First phase of residential development newly addressed Mill Lane off Common Road.