How we used to dread having to use this shaft when the main coal winding shaft was shut for any reason. There were 3 very steep hills to climb, steps cut in places and ropes made from old conveyor belting to pull oneself up. I well remember the chalk writing on the rock walls "No Overtaking!" "Join Cromford Hill Climbing Society" and many others of the same ilk. Many rests had to be taken on the way up and when you got there the chair only held about six men a time but due to the time it took to climb up and men arriving in twos and threes you didn`t have to wait long.