EU Funding. Place Projects - 17 February 2020

Time Capsule buried on site of D2N2-backed Flood Defences in Derby

A time capsule has been buried at the River Gardens to mark the installation of the new flood defences in Derby.

The time capsule, which has been lowered underneath the new amphitheatre in the River Gardens, marks the completion of the flood alleviation works and redevelopment in this area by contractor NMCN PLC.

The flood defence project, called Our City Our River, benefited from a £12 million investment from D2N2’s Local Growth Fund allocation as well as £4.61m from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) invested via D2N2.

The £95million OCOR project has been developed to reduce flood risk through long-term, and sustainable economic development, creating a high-quality riverside, linking the city centre with the river. 

Cllr Matthew Holmes, Deputy Leader of Derby City Council said: “The River Gardens have been neglected over the years, so it’s fantastic to see this open space redesigned and developed to be an accessible garden in the city centre.”

“The burial of this time capsule marks the work that has been completed over the past year.  It’s great to get local schools, like Hardwick and Arboretum involved, as well as helping them to understand environmental factors and why the work we’re doing is so important.”

“Protecting homes and businesses is the main drive for these works, however helping to regenerate the areas next to the river will help us make the most of the asset we have and turn the city to face it.”

River Gardens

The newly designed River Gardens has created clear lines of sight in all directions, integrated seating, and made the space more accessible to residents in the city. An open-air performance space has been created in the style of an amphitheatre.

Children from Hardwick Primary School and Arboretum Primary School have added items to the time capsule, under the theme ‘100 years’ which echoes the level of protection that the new defences will have.

Pupils from Hardwick Primary School attended the burial ceremony and met with the Leader of Council and D2N2 Board member, Cllr Chris Poulter, The Mayor of the City of Derby Cllr Frank Harwood, and the Friends of the River Gardens to hear about the history of the park and work that that has been completed over the past year.

A plaque by artist Tim Clapcott, who created the Made in Derby’ plaques in the city centre, will be added to the site in the next few months.

D2N2 also funded the Made In Derby scheme as part of a £1.65m investment for Placemaking as well as the encouragement of active travel in the city.

The open space will be seasonally planted and landscaped over the next few months, with the site fully completed in the summer.  The time capsule will stay in the River Gardens for the next 100 years.

As part of the redevelopment, two bronze turtles from Allestree Park, which originally sat in River Gardens, have returned as an added feature of the newly designed space.

The open space will be seasonally planted and landscaped over the next few months, with the site fully completed in the summer. The riverside path between Derwent Street and the Bus Station has now reopened for pedestrians.

Latest News & Events

19 July 2024

Local business support boosted with launch of Early Stage Angel Investment Fund

Read Article

21 June 2024

Spotlight on our Board: Scott Knowles, Chief Executive, East Midlands Chamber, on the D2N2 LEP transition and East Midlands devolution

Read Article

11 June 2024

The D2N2 LEP staff team joins the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA)

Read Article

07 June 2024

Becky Rix, Marketing Director at Roadgas, explains why Roadgas is a proud member of the East Midlands Hydrogen Consortium

Read Article

05 June 2024

Spotlight on our Board: D2N2 LEP Board Member Natasha Johnson, Director of Partnerships at Global Entrepreneurs UK

Read Article

05 June 2024

Free Expert Business Advice and Support available through East Midlands Chamber’s Accelerator Programme

Read Article

03 June 2024

Spotlight on our Board: D2N2 LEP Board Member Professor Edward Peck CBE, Vice-Chancellor and President, Nottingham Trent University

Read Article

24 May 2024

Focus on the East Midlands: our time is NOW!

Read Article

24 May 2024

D2N2 LEP CEO, Will Morlidge, shares our East Midlands Hydrogen ambitions at UKREiiF

Read Article

24 May 2024

East Midlands Freeport and Freeport East Sign Green Freight Corridor Initiative at UKREiiF

Read Article

Get in touch.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Sign up
Address

D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership
8 Experian Way
Nottingham
Nottinghamshire
NG2 1EP

Social

Our Partners