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!
Cycleway
Tip Top Toyota awards funds for Derwent Valley Cycleway
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.
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!
Santa spotted down Wyver Lane
After suggesting sponsored Santa cycles down Wyver Lane to raise more money for our GoFundMe campaign Santa hats have been spotted!
Please add a Santa loop to your lockdown rides and do some publicity for our campaign …!
Darley Abbey to A38 Section Reaches Landmark
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)!
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!
More on Fundraising
Aside from the Fiver for Wyver campaign, our team has been active applying for funds. During November we have applied to British Cycling, Derbyshire County Council Youth Action Grant, and Toyota Manufacturing UK Charity Trust. All of these were for sums of less than ten thousand pounds, but winning any one of them (or more we hope!) will certainly move our endeavours forward.
New grant offers come up quite often, and often there is limited time to apply. Each time we complete an application we believe we’re doing it better, and we have the necessary material better to hand. We keep our hopes high for the outcome of these three applications, yet we are realistic, and know that we are competing with many others for limited funds.
