Derwent Valley Trust

Discover Derbyshire's Valley

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Heritage Way diversion in Darley Abbey

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With the closure of the Darley Abbey Mills pedestrian and cycle bridge for safety reasons, it is no longer possible to follow the Heritage Way route through Darley Abbey village.

Instead, it is necessary to follow a diversion using the east bank of the Derwent and to make use of Handyside Bridge (near to Chester Green) to pass over the river. The diversion route can be seen on the map.

From the north, follow the standard route until reaching Haslams Lane to the east of Darley Abbey Mills. At this point, do not take the westerly route through the Mills and over the (closed) bridge. Instead proceed directly south on Folly Road and then into Darley Fields park. Just before reaching the Darley Fields car park, changing rooms and toilets, take the right turn to reach the riverside and then proceed southwards alongside the river before reaching Handyside Bridge. Cross the bridge and use the steps immediately on the left to regain the normal route into Derby and onwards.

From the south, it is necessary to be vigilant to avoid traveling too far north on the west bank of the river and having to backtrack. It is necessary to cross the river at Handyside Bridge (an old railway bridge close to Chester Green). If you follow the normal Heritage Way route and reach the rowing clubs by the river then you’ve gone too far. After crossing Handyside Bridge follow the riverside northwards through Darley Fields before eventually reaching Folly Road. Proceed along Folly Road to Haslams Lane where you rejoin the normal route.

Unfortunately, the diversion means that walkers miss the attractions of Darley Abbey village including the Abbey Inn and Little Darleys pub. There are other cafes, restaurants and wine bars on the east bank of the river within Darley Abbey Mills and walkers may choose to make a short diversion westwards along Haslams Lane. These include:

Derby City Council are investihttps://www.derby.gov.uk/news/2026/february/permanent-river-crossing-at-darley-abbey-moves-a-step-closer/gating the way forward for the pedestrian and cycle bridge but, as of early January 2026, there are no details of when access across the river at Darley Abbey will again be possible.

Derbyshire County Council improve their Active Travel capability rating

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Active Travel England have now published their ratings for active travel capability for all Local Authorities in England (outside London). The ratings run from Level 0 (poor – no LAs are at this level) to Level 4 (excellent – again no LAs at this level).

In previous years Derbyshire was assessed as Level 1 but in 2025 the rating has improved to Level 2 which is defined as “Strong local leadership and organisational capability, with clear plans that
form the basis of an emerging network with a few elements already in place.”

There are 39 LAs at Level 1 (including Derby City), 30 at Level 2 and 11 at Level 3 so these results put Derbyshire in the upper half of LAs across the country.

Funding allocations are based on capability ratings so an improved rating should lead to increased chances of funding from central government.

Well done to the relevant people at Derbyshire County Council responsible for this improvement and we look forward to continuing positive focus on active travel in the future.

Derwent River Way

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The Labour Party’s manifesto pledged to create nine new National River Ways. The Derbyshire River Derwent would be an excellent choice for the East Midlands region. The Derwent offers a realistically sized project uniquely linking a National Park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The significant progress already achieved means that the delivery of the full route can, with the right national support, be achieved within reasonable timescales.

This project would build on the existing Heritage Way (rambling route) and add facilities for wheeling (wheelchairs, prams, disability vehicles, etc.) and cycling to create a high quality route open to all.

The Derwent Valley Trust believe there are good reasons why the Derwent makes a very strong candidate to be one of the river ways including:

  • realistic size – challenging (55 miles) but not too long to need extended timescales to deliver
  • a lot of work is already done – rambling route fully in place, some of wheeling route in place
  • offers sustainable access from areas of deprivation (particularly in Derby) to the World Heritage Site and National Park
  • provides economic growth opportunities along the full length of the river valley both for the visitor economy, and for sustainable commuting into Derby and elsewhere
  • deliverable within a realistic timescale with significant progress possible during this Parliament.
  • uniquely linking of a World Heritage Site with a National Park and lots of other visitor attractions
  • lots of existing support

The Trust already has the support of various local stakeholders and will be working with local MPs (who are supportive) to have the Derwent selected as a River Way site.

The various benefits are expanded on in this proposal document

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.

Historic Mills in the Derwent Valley

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The Mills of Britain database provides an interactive resource displaying mill locations compiled from select digitised eighteenth and nineteenth century maps. This was created as part of the “Away from the water” project at Glasgow University.

As well as providing background information on the mills within the Derwent Valley (and across the rest of Great Britain) the tool provides an excellent interface for viewing historic maps from the 19th Century at a scale that shows lots of detail.

Access the viewing tool here.

Ian Jackson has been a good supporter of the Derwent Valley Trust projects. He has spent extensive time over the last many years investigating the historic mills in the valley. He has identified many more historic locations that are yet to be included on the “Mills of Britain” map.

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.