Mill Lane is a bridle path that leads from Cossall Village to the edge of Ilkeston and it is along here that we shall once again encounter the original stones of the Monk's Way. The first part of the path is unremarkable but does provide some occasional but pleasant views across the Erewash Valley through the hedgerows.

Approximately mid-way between Cossall and Ilkeston, Mill Lane is crossed by the disused Nottingham Canal. Built in 1796, the canal was a profitable enterprise in competition with the Erewash Canal (which is closer to Ilkeston) for many years before being abandoned in 1937. Known locally as the Top Cut to distinguish it from the Erewash or Bottom Cut, it was a means of supplying Nottingham with coal. Most of the Nottingham Canal was acquired by the Broxtowe Borough Council in 1977 and in 1993 became a Local Nature Reserve.

Where Mill Lane crosses the canal, there used to be a swing bridge and remnants of this are still visible although the canal at this point has now been filled in.

As the lane now descends towards Ilkeston, the stones of the Monk's Way put in a reappearance. This picture was one of the first I took of the Monk's Way and dates from May 2001. Although overgrown the stones could easily be seen in the grass on the left.

They were also easy to see in an icy and muddy January 2003, bulldozed and broken as they were at the side of the path, with scant regard for our heritage and local history. Whatever the truth of their origin, whether actually laid by monks or not, they surely deserved better treatment than this and after the matter was raised with the local council, the stones were eventually relaid.

The reason for the bulldozing was to allow construction traffic access to the railway line to facilitate the building of a monstrous new bridge. Whilst it is difficult to argue against the bridge which does provide a much safer route for pedestrians, cyclists and horse riders to cross the railway lines via the sloping ramps on each side, it must be admitted the the old bridge, even in its rusty state of repair, did provide a much more pleasant and attractive countenance. Of course when the monks trod the stones and travelled along this way between Strelley and Dale, the railways wouldn't even have been there.