[2] As originally planned, this was a highly ambitious scheme, as its name suggests, but only the central section between Chesterfield Market Place and Lincoln, together with a branch from Langwith Junction to the outskirts of Sheffield, were ever built.
These three factors, plus an estimated cost of £1 Million (in 1951) and uncosted concerns over the nearby Doe Lea Viaduct made the decision to close the tunnel easy.
The section between Chesterfield and Langwith Junction (by then renamed Shirebrook North), was closed to passenger traffic by British Railways in December 1951.
The section from Chesterfield Market Place through Arkwright Town and onto the GC main line remained open to goods traffic until March 1957.
[8] Today the approach cutting at the Chesterfield end has been infilled leaving only the top of the portal visible, sealed with a thick concrete plug.
The tunnel continues to suffer from water ingress, and apart from the air shafts remains unmaintained and uninspected, despite passing beneath public land including housing.
About 300 yards (270 m) after the stile the path crosses a bridge 53°12′39.11″N 1°15′24.01″W / 53.2108639°N 1.2566694°W / 53.2108639; -1.2566694 over the cutting, which Network Rail probably have to maintain, even though the tracks were lifted over sixty years ago.