Tim Wilmshurst

Derek Latham (75), Chair of the Derwent Valley Trust, was nearly home when cycling from Sutton on the Hill last Sunday. He had just passed the A38 roundabout on Duffield Road going North. Looking over his shoulder to check no one was immediately behind, he put his right arm out to signal a right hand turn. He was aiming to use the designated Derby City Cycle route connecting Duffield road to the end of Lambourn Drive.

There are two road lanes here, converging into one. The cars on the inside lane slowed to allow Derek to turn right, but a car in the outside lane overtook the others. It hit Derek’s outstretched arm with its windscreen, spinning him to the ground. The car immediately behind stopped at an angle across the road, blocking further traffic. He and another driver ran to Derek, helping him and his bike to the footway by the road.

Derek was dazed, grazed and bruised with layers of clothing torn. Miraculously he had no major injuries. Likewise his bike, after adjustment and tuning by Big on Bikes, didn’t need replacement parts.

The husband of the driver that caused the accident apologised. He explained his wife had only passed her test the previous week. Clearly she still has a little to learn. He further offered to pay for replacement clothing.

Asked afterward if he wished to press charges, Derek explained, “Frankly, I was so relieved that I hadn’t been killed or seriously injured, pressing charges was the last thing on my mind. I was grateful for the help given by other drivers and the contrition of the husband and his wife. Unfortunately, this is a close personal illustration of the need for the Derwent Valley Cycleway that I have been championing for the last decade”

The cycleway from Darley Abbey to Allestree and then on to Duffield is currently being designed and procured through a Partnership the Derwent Valley Trust has with National Highways (formerly Highways England). Subject to planning,  it should be opened during 2023.

Anyone wishing to support the campaign for a safe off highway route up the valley from Derby to Chatsworth please contact cyclechair@derwentvalleytrust.co.uk

Just in time for the Christmas shopping season, we have set up Derwent Valley Trust as a “cause” on Easyfundraising! You can now go via this link and register with Easyfundraising, naming Derwent Valley Trust as your cause. Then every time you go online to shop, go via Easyfundraising.org.uk to the retailer’s website and it will make a donation to DVT!  

This works because easyfundraising turns your everyday online shopping into FREE donations when you use them to shop with over 6,000 retailers such as eBay, John Lewis, Argos, ASOS and Booking.com. Retailers make a small donation to say ‘thank you’ and easyfundraising gives those free funds to the nominated cause.
 
Plus, once you’ve signed up and raised £15 in donations, easyfundraising contributes a further £15.
 
There’s no catch or hidden charges and Derwent Valley Trust will be really grateful for your donations. Do please also encourage your friends and acquaintances to do their shopping in this way!

Back in March of this year we were delighted to learn that the Derbyshire County Council (DCC) were approving funding of £100,000 for a feasibility study for our cycleway. Following this announcement, members of Derwent Valley Trust (DVT) met with DCC representatives in May. The meeting was very positive, with a clear sense that DVT and DCC will be able to work closely as the study is undertaken.

The DCC are also developing the White Peak Loop. Because part of our route coincides with this, the DCC White Peak Loop web page also mentions the feasibility study.

We now understand that DCC have appointed Aecom as consultants for the feasibility study. This is good news, as Aecom have a respected track record in cycleway planning and integration. They were for example responsible for implementing the section of our route between Matlock and Rowsley, so bring good local knowledge and experience.

We aim to work closely with Aecom and DCC as the study progresses. We’ve already started sharing with them copies of our key documents. We will challenge and assist the consultants as they progress their plans; our emphasis will of course be not if the cycleway can be delivered, but how.