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
