A new £13.4 million road linking Woodville and Swadlincote has opened in time for Christmas, bringing opportunities for new housing, business development and land redevelopment.
The project was funded jointly by Derbyshire County Council which contributed £7m and the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership, which gave £6.4m from our Local Growth Fund.
Derbyshire County Council led the project which had to be halted weeks away from completion when its main contractor North Midland Construction went into administration.
But following a lot of hard work behind the scenes, the county council stepped in as principal contractor to co-ordinate the completion of the single-carriageway road which measures almost a mile in length.
As well as opening up land in the area for development, the road will ease congestion on existing roads in the area, particularly Tollgate Island in Woodville where the A511 joins the A514.
Will Morlidge, Interim Chief Executive Officer at D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership said: “Through our Local Growth Fund and other initiatives, D2N2 is delivering major projects to boost the regeneration of our regional economy.
“The opening of the new link road will be key to shaping the future of the Swadlincote and Woodville areas. It has the needs of the local community at its core, supporting the creation of homes and new jobs to improve the prospects for the whole area.”
Councillor Carolyn Renwick, the Derbyshire’s Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment, said: “We’re delighted that the new Woodville to Swadlincote link road is now open.
“We know how long people have waited for this road and I’d like to thank residents and businesses for their patience following the unexpected delay and apologise for any disruption which may have been caused.
“The road will be great for the local area and will allow for land redevelopment along the route, opening up opportunities for new housing and business development.
“I’d like to thank everyone involved in making the project a success.”
Preparations will be made to allow landscaping to take place after Christmas.
Pictured on the new link road from left, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Environment Councillor Carolyn Renwick, Civic Chairman, Councillor Jean Wharmby and Mr George Wharmby, Civic Consort
