cycle

This Spring term we are again benefitting from the services of an intern, Domas, from the University of Derby. We last had University interns back in the Autumn term of 2020. Domas brings expertise in media production, and is working with a camera mounted on a drone to film overhead footage of the cycleway route. Results are spectacular!

The end result is to be a video, with commentary by key players in the project. The project is well-advanced, the images you can see here are just a couple of stills from the footage already shot. We’re excited with the thought of launching the video later this year.

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.

The Derwent Valley Trust is very pleased that the Highways England project to build a traffic light controlled (toucan) crossing for pedestrians and cyclists across the A61 near Breadsall is now complete (subject to a test period of correct operation).

This crossing addresses a long term concern of Breadsall Parish Council that the busy A61 road cuts links for cyclists and pedestrians between the west of the road and Breadsall.

The new crossing links the existing National Cycle Route 672 (the Breadsall Great Northern Greenway) to the National Cycle Network Route 54 alongside the A61. It also allows pedestrians to safely reach the bus stop on the west side of the A61.

The crossing is believed to be the first pedestrian and cycle crossing with a mast arm mounted traffic light in Derbyshire. For visibility reasons the speed limit in the vicinity of the crossing has been permanently reduced to 50 mph.

• 

• 

Thanks are due to Highways England for delivering this project for the benefit of the local community and for Derbyshire County Council supporting the work and ensuring that any bureaucratic issues could be overcome. The Highways England finance is from their Designated Funds scheme which supports initiatives that deliver lasting benefits for road users, the environment and communities across England.

The Derwent Valley Trust has worked closely with Highways England, Breadsall Parish Council and others to progress this A61 crossing project. This work is alongside the Trust’s plans for the Derwent Valley Cycleway for which Highways England is also providing financial and technical support.