Derwent Valley Trust

Discover Derbyshire's Valley

cycle

Watercolour paintings of the Cycleway route

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Long time supporter of the Derwent Valley Cycleway and local artist, Steve Adams, has recently finished a water colour painting of Wyver Lane showing part of the route of the Derwent Valley Cycleway near Belper. This section was recently resurfaced with tarmac replacing a severely potholed surface and is now a pleasure to cycle along.

It’s interesting to see how green the route is even though it is so close to the town of Belper. A great demonstration of how the Cycleway will link significant destinations whilst running through some beautiful scenery.

Steve will be exhibiting at the forthcoming Belper Arts Trail at the end of August at which the original painting and prints will be available for purchase alongside offerings from many other local artists. The Arts Trail is an event well worth visiting and a chance for you to actually visit Wyver Lane to see the painted scene in real life.

Further work of Steve’s showing parts of the Derwent Valley Cycleway are below:

  • Cromford Canal
  • Silk Mill
  • Wyver Lane Nature Reserve


Thanks to all our Wyver Lane Supporters, from Wyver Lane!

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Here’s a message of thanks for all who have generously donated to our Wyver Lane fundraising, from the lane itself. We’re almost in a position to proceed with the refurbishment work now, but this wouldn’t have been possible without your giving. By summer we should be riding along a smooth, safe surface, enjoying the sights and sounds all around!

Tip Top Toyota awards funds for Derwent Valley Cycleway

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Toyota Manufacturing UK Charitable Trust, TMUK Charitable Trust have generously awarded £2,000 to the Derwent Valley Trust’s Wyver Lane project, boosting funding received from their ‘Fiver for Wyver’ Campaign.
Benefiting both Belper, and the overall Derwent Valley Cycleway, the money helps toward the goal of raising £26,400 for completing the resurfacing of Wyver Lane.

Wyver Lane is already loved by many for its rugged and remote beauty, this won’t be compromised by the planned work. Once resurfaced, the lane will provide a safe place for both young and old to learn to cycle. Others who haven’t cycled for a while will be able to regain their confidence. It will also provide a gentle and accessible route for the disabled, along the valley floodplain from hilly Belper, past the wildlife reserve and historic rifle range. In the longer term, the lane will be part of the much longer Derwent Valley Cycleway.

A brave cyclist tackles the Wyver Lane Potholes

Within 15 miles of the Toyota Plant the assessors considered the Derwent Valley Cycleway was beneficial to both health and road safety.
Tim Wilmshurst, the Trust’s Project Co-ordinator said “we’ve now almost reached our target for Wyver Lane, and are confident that we can proceed with the work this Spring.” The crowdfunding campaign remains open for last-minute donations!

Darley Abbey to A38 Section Reaches Landmark

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We’re pleased that the project to build the riverside multi-user path between Haslams Lane in Darley Abbey to Ford Lane in Allestree has now reached the milestone of applying for planning permission. This project is being delivered by Highways England as part of their “Designated Funds” support for local community projects across the country after a successful grant application from the Derwent Valley Trust.

We don’t expect significant objections to the plans and in fact know there is widespread support but, due to the vagaries of planning procedures, we’re keen for those who support the project to make their views known. As the route spans two council areas there will be separate planning applications to Derby City and Erewash Borough Councils.

Visit the Derby City e-Planning website here and search for 20/01542/FUL. A good summary of the project (from which the map above is taken). This document is supported by other detailed surveys (e.g. wildlife) also appearing on the site.

To submit comments visit “Comments” and register yourself using an email address and password (note that non city residents have to enter their address manually); then log in and complete a feedback form. Feel free to give detailed comments, BUT the main benefit will be just to register your support. The deadline for comments is the 24th December so please act swiftly!

For the Erewash section visit their Planning site here and search for 1220/0043

Comments on the Erewash site don’t need an account but do need you to register your address and contact details

This development is at no direct cost to the local councils (funds are all from Highways England). It will provide a safe cycle route out of the city northwards, avoiding the current accident black spot of Palm Court roundabout (A6 / A38 junction). The project also has the support of Sustrans who will realign National Cycle Route 54 from the existing poor route on Alfreton Road and alongside the A61 to use the new traffic-free cycleway.

All I want for Christmas is ……. a Bridge over the River Derwent (or six)!

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We wrote about bridges in the previous newsletter, and the thought continues to exercise us. It’s pretty clear that we’re going to have to cross the river quite a few times to complete our cycle route, and we need to identify a bridge design which we can maybe use several times. It needs to be competitively priced, with an appearance that fits in with the natural landscape around it. A new colleague on the working group suggested we look at Mabey Bridges, which we have done with interest. If any reader has bridge expertise, we’d be very pleased to hear from you!