The Derwent Valley Cycleway route inevitably means that we will need to cross the River Derwent in places. We have been looking into finding a cost-effective solution. A serendipitous link led to a meeting with Ronald Yee, a very experienced chartered bridge architect and designer from Kent University and Yee Associates: architects and designers. He is the author of the beautifully illustrated and interesting book The Architecture of British Bridges. Ron is also well known relatively locally through his involvement with the Friends of Bennerley Viaduct project.
Above is an example in situ. Spans above 14m can be joined together and supported by cable stays. These would be suitable for our longer crossings needed for the River Derwent.
Ron has developed a split beam timber bridge suitable for cycleways and walkways which should be more cost effective and easier to install than a steel bridge.
In January, Ron visited our potential bridge sites in Duffield and Milford and as a project for his students has designed a suitable bridge for our sites and they are building a 1:10 scale model.
The model is progressing quickly and will soon be finished.
It’s great to see our project having educational value and the students looking so engaged in their studies. The Derwent Valley Trust are grateful to Ron Yee for his time, expertise and enthusiasm.
