Derwent Valley Trust

Discover Derbyshire's Valley

Ian Dent

Little Eaton Greenway informational event

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Derbyshire County Council are holding an event on the 28th September 2022 to inform the public (and to collect feedback) on the plans to convert the disused Little Eaton branch line to a cycle and walking route.

The scope is to connect directly to the National Cycle Network route 54 at the junction of the B6179 Alfreton Road and Duffield Road in Little Eaton to Rawson Green at Kilburn.

This project is outside the scope of the Derwent Valley Cycleway (DVC) but will link to the DVC and will complement the planned cycleway along the Derwent Valley.

A great opportunity to hear more about the Greenway plans.

If you’ve missed the face to face event, you can still provide feedback online at this link (until 26th October 2022)

Darley Abbey to A38 Cycleway

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Back in 2020 planning applications were submitted to both Derby City Council (responsible for the southern section) and Erewash Borough Council (responsible for the northern section) for the necessary permission to build the Derwent Valley Cycleway from Darley Abbey to the Ford Lane junction with the A38 across the fields near to the River Derwent.

After discussions with various interested bodies we (in conjunction with National Highways and their contractors) have identified a slightly different route at the northern end. In this modified plan, the route would follow the river more closely, pass under the A38 bridge over the River Derwent, and terminate at Ford Lane near to the Ford Lane bridge over the river.

This modification is judged by the planning department as sufficiently different to need a new application and thus the appropriate paperwork has been submitted to Erewash Borough Council with the original planning application being withdrawn. Those who commented on the original application may have received a letter informing you of the application withdrawal. National Highways have confirmed that the new (replacement) application has been submitted and will appear on the Erewash planning website as soon as it is processed by the Council.

One unfortunate side effect of this withdrawal / resubmission process is that all the comments on the original planning application are lost with the withdrawal. As soon as the new application appears online, and available for comments, we’ll be asking people to write in to support the modified plans.

The letters from the Council about the withdrawal of the planning application may cause some confusion but people can be assured that the project is progressing as planned (albeit slower than we’d hoped) and that the planning application withdrawal is just a bureaucratic detail. We look forward to the new planning application being rapidly determined and the project proceeding to the build stage.

River Valley Maps

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Inspired by Grasshopper Geography, I’ve been experimenting with ways of displaying river valleys (including tributaries). Interesting to see how the Derwent Valley is associated with other river basins and, in particular, the Trent.

Still a work in progress with many ideas to try on how best to represent the information. Further trials can be found here.

Toucan Crossing over A61 near Breadsall now complete

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The Derwent Valley Trust is very pleased that the Highways England project to build a traffic light controlled (toucan) crossing for pedestrians and cyclists across the A61 near Breadsall is now complete (subject to a test period of correct operation).

This crossing addresses a long term concern of Breadsall Parish Council that the busy A61 road cuts links for cyclists and pedestrians between the west of the road and Breadsall.

The new crossing links the existing National Cycle Route 672 (the Breadsall Great Northern Greenway) to the National Cycle Network Route 54 alongside the A61. It also allows pedestrians to safely reach the bus stop on the west side of the A61.

The crossing is believed to be the first pedestrian and cycle crossing with a mast arm mounted traffic light in Derbyshire. For visibility reasons the speed limit in the vicinity of the crossing has been permanently reduced to 50 mph.

Thanks are due to Highways England for delivering this project for the benefit of the local community and for Derbyshire County Council supporting the work and ensuring that any bureaucratic issues could be overcome. The Highways England finance is from their Designated Funds scheme which supports initiatives that deliver lasting benefits for road users, the environment and communities across England.

The Derwent Valley Trust has worked closely with Highways England, Breadsall Parish Council and others to progress this A61 crossing project. This work is alongside the Trust’s plans for the Derwent Valley Cycleway for which Highways England is also providing financial and technical support.

Watercolour paintings of the Cycleway route

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Long time supporter of the Derwent Valley Cycleway and local artist, Steve Adams, has recently finished a water colour painting of Wyver Lane showing part of the route of the Derwent Valley Cycleway near Belper. This section was recently resurfaced with tarmac replacing a severely potholed surface and is now a pleasure to cycle along.

It’s interesting to see how green the route is even though it is so close to the town of Belper. A great demonstration of how the Cycleway will link significant destinations whilst running through some beautiful scenery.

Steve will be exhibiting at the forthcoming Belper Arts Trail at the end of August at which the original painting and prints will be available for purchase alongside offerings from many other local artists. The Arts Trail is an event well worth visiting and a chance for you to actually visit Wyver Lane to see the painted scene in real life.

Further work of Steve’s showing parts of the Derwent Valley Cycleway are below:

  • Cromford Canal
  • Silk Mill
  • Wyver Lane Nature Reserve


Spirit of Place

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The Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site is conducting a survey to help them find their “Spirit of Place”

What does the Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site mean to you? What makes it special? Is it the history, the landscape, its communities, its people?

What’s distinctive about the main parts of the site; its northern, central and southern areas from Matlock Bath down to Derby?

Our new online survey is an opportunity for you to tell us – whether you live here, work here, or just sometimes visit the valley. The feedback will help us develop ‘Spirit of Place’ propositions which we will use in future planning and promotional work.

The survey will be open until 19th March and is completely confidential, so we don’t need any information about you – just your thoughts on what makes these areas special. The more responses we get, the better we can represent everyone’s views.

If you wish, you can also enter our FREE PRIZE DRAW with a chance of winning over £100 of vouchers to spend with local suppliers in the Derwent Valley!

Click here to complete the survey