Derwent Valley Trust

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Derwent Valley Cycleway Bridge Ideas 

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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.

Kent university students building a 1:10 scale model of a bridge suitable for the River Derwent

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.

Planning application for Belper section submitted

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We’re pleased to report that the planning application for the Belper section of the cycleway is now under consideration by Amber Valley Borough Council with an expected decision date in November.

This cycleway section runs, as shown on the map, from Chevin Road, past the Severn Trent sewage works, and then all the way to Bridge Foot at the north of Belper.

The application is available to view on the Amber Valley Borough Council web site here, applying reference number AVA/2024/0540. Amid a large number of documents available for viewing, it is useful to start with the Introduction,  and then take a look at the Design and Access Statement. 

Please register your support for the application by completing the form here Note that the form will automatically detect Amber Valley addresses but those from elsewhere are also able to add their support – just enter the address in the larger box below the “Address” question.

You are able to add comments to back up your expression of support but this isn’t necessary. The key thing is, when asked “Do you want to object”, to answer this with “no”. The planning process will take note of the degree of support for the proposals and adding your name will increase the likelihood of permission being granted.

The development of this section of the Cycleway will provide many benefits including providing an alternative route to the current unsuitable and dangerous Bridge Street along the A6. The provision of the Cycleway is a key part of the Belper Active Travel Plan recently created by Derbyshire County Council.

Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan

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The Government has asked each Council across the country to create a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP). This is an important document as it shows what the Council wish to achieve relating to Active Travel for the next 15 years.

For our area, the Councils for Derby City, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire have worked together (under the banner of the Local Enterprise Partnership – D2N2 LEP) to create a single plan for the region.

As the Derwent Valley Trust we’re pleased to see the Plan progressing and support the goals of defining a long term plan for a well connected cycle network.

The LEP is now asking for feedback on the draft plan (deadline of 8th March 2023) – the LCWIP plan, supporting documents and maps, and the method of providing feedback can be found at https://lcwipeastmids.consultation.ai/ We’d encourage readers to submit their feedback on the benefits of the Plan together with any specific comments you may have.

The Derwent Valley Trust has submitted feedback as an organisation on the cycling aspects of the plan. The main points of this feedback are:

  • The need for the routes crossing between local authority boundaries to be considered as strategic routes from end to end and not be downgraded when passing from one authority’s area to another. In particular the portions of the Derwent Valley Cycleway in Derby City need to be shown as strategic routes to reflect their status in Derbyshire.
  • The method of assessing routes for commuting is based around an urban area and does not accurately reflect the demand for use of a cycleway within a geographically constrained corridor. The consideration of only commuting demand within 200 metres of a proposed route needs to be reconsidered to cater for commuting from a less urban area. In particular, the Derwent Valley Cycleway between Belper and Derby would provide benefits to all residents within the Derwent Valley including those over 200m from the route.
  • The time taken to complete the LCWIP (since work started in 2017) means that a review of the current plan is well overdue and work should begin now on version 2 of the LCWIP. The Derwent Valley Trust should be included as a key stakeholder in any work towards creating the next version of the Plan.
  • The analysis should include the available school travel data when assessing demand for any route.
  • The prioritisation process for Derbyshire routes reflects the process used for the Derbyshire Key Cycle Network. This assessed routes under an “environmental” heading and which penalised routes that are proposed to run through areas of particular natural or heritage value (e.g. nature reserves, heritage sites). While dealing with nature or heritage requirements may make the route harder to deliver, the benefits of the route are greatly increased by providing access to the special sites and this should be reflected by boosting rather than penalising the environmental rating (and its equivalent within the LCWIP process).
  • While the Derwent Valley Mills UNESCO World Heritage Site is acknowledged in the LCWIP, a greater degree of importance of the Site should be reflected in the analysis. The Site is one of only 20 World Heritage Sites in England, and the only one in the East Midlands, and there is a massive opportunity to use the LCWIP plans to allow tourism and other benefits of the Site to be accrued.

Darley Abbey to A38 – A Request

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The intricacies of planning procedures means that we need your help again.

You may recall that back in late 2020, planning applications for the Darley Abbey to A38 (Ford Lane) section of the Cycleway were submitted to both Derby City and Erewash Borough Councils. The southern part of the planned route falls within the City, the northern part within Erewash so permission from both planning authorities is needed.

The Derby City application is still to be finalised but a determination is expected soon. All feedback to the Council has been supportive of the plans. Commenting on this Derby City application closed a long while ago and no action is requested from you regarding this Derby City planning application.

For the Erewash section, discussions with landowners and further investigation has suggested a slight change to the most northern part of the route. Previously (and as part of the original planning application) the route was to run through an underpass of the A38 which is heavily used by Talbot Turf agricultural machinery. A much improved plan now follows the bank of the river more closely and passes under the A38 bridge alongside the Derwent before reaching Ford Lane.

The change of route means that the Erewash application has to be resubmitted with the original application being withdrawn and this has now happened.

One effect of this re-application is that all the letters of support previously sent to Erewash are now obsolete (and discarded) and we need to ask our supporters to please submit their support for the new, modified, planning application.

Full details of the new planning application can be found by visiting https://register.civicacx.co.uk/erewash/planning and searching for reference 0922/0067.

To submit comments online visit https://www.erewash.gov.uk/planning-section/planning-enquiry-form.html A few questions need to be answered:

  • Site address is “Cycleway from River Derwent borough boundary towards Ford Lane Little Eaton Derbyshire”
  • “Planning enquiry / Make a representation”: Select “make a representation”
  • Application reference is 0922/0067
  • Case Officer is Kerry Hallam
  • “Your views” – important to select “support” and comments can then be added at the next question.

While you can add whatever comments you wish, none are necessary and the key thing is to register your “support”. Some of the benefits you may wish to consider for your comments include:

  • Cost – covered by National Highways so a great opportunity for local benefit at no cost to the local Councils
  • Allows for an additional choice of commuting method from the North towards Derby when, and if, the A38 Junctions works (flyovers) start
  • Safety – allows for cyclist to avoid the accident black spot at Palm Court Island (A38/A6 junction) and provides a traffic free alternative route.
  • Links to the Darley Fields path for onward travel to Derby and provides the next part of the Derwent Valley Cycleway to continue to the north to eventually reach Chatsworth.
  • Will allow for replacement of poor parts of the existing National Cycle Network (NCN 54) currently on Alfreton Road (on road with no cycle facilities) and alongside the A61 (narrow in places and unprotected from fast motor traffic).
  • The route is a long standing goal within the Derby City Rights of Way improvement plan and the Erewash section is necessary for the Derby section to be useful.
  • The route will provide improved access for Darley Abbey pupils at Ecclesbourne school (particularly with the future addition of the Ford Lane to Duffield section of the Derwent Valley Cycleway).
  • Links partially to the planned Rewilded Allestree Park destination
  • Originally called for in the Derby Cycling Group 1983 plan for cycling improvements in and around Derby (produced in conjunction with the City Council) so well overdue
  • Local Ramblers groups have been consulted and are supportive of the plans

The Erewash application should be determined before the end of December 2022 so please submit your support and comments as soon as possible to ensure they are considered.

Thanks for your continuing support.

Darley Abbey bridge open

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The bridge across the Derwent from Darley Abbey to Darley Abbey Mills was suddenly closed earlier in the year when safety issues were identified. After a lot of confusion as to who was responsible for the bridge, Derby City Council undertook to provide a temporary replacement.

This temporary bridge (planned for 12 months usage) has now been opened and the link across the river restored.

The bridge is open to walkers, cyclists and users of mobility aids with signage encouraging all users to be considerate of others. The original bridge supported motor traffic which never really mixed well with the other types of users as the bridge and the route through the Mills was narrow. The replacement bridge is not open to motor traffic which has the knock on effect of making the route through the Mills more attractive as only motor traffic accessing the Mills (i.e. no through motor traffic) will be encountered by pedestrians and cyclists.

The bridge has been built above the existing, damaged bridge which means that ramps are needed on each bank.

The opening event was very well attended.

Well done to Derby City Council for funding the replacement bridge and for getting it in place as quickly as they have.

The bridge removes the gap in the Derwent Valley Heritage Way that the original closure caused. It also restores the missing link in the National Cycle Network (orbital route 66).

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)