A Derby City Council programme to create more than 1,000 metres of legal cycle routes through Derby city centre and improve 3,000 square metres of public realm – part-funded by the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership – is scheduled to start on Monday (September 11).
The first phase of works in the city centre is due to be carried out in St Peters Street, Derby, (artist’s impression is pictured) between Monday and mid-November and, following the Christmas break, from January 28 to the end of July.
New paving will be laid and street furniture zones, aiming to be more navigable for those with daibilities or mobility problems, will be installed in St Peters Street. The street furniture zones will include seating, bicycle parking areas, litter bins, improved street lighting and planters; the same as those at St Peters Cross and The Spot.
When completed, cycle access will be permitted from Babington Lane along St Peters Street and Corn Market to the junction with St James’s Street, before 10am and after 5pm; the same time that other vehicles are allowed in these pedestrianised areas.
The St Peters Street programme is part of a wider Derby city centre project for which the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership – the private sector-led partnership which promotes economic growth across Derby, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Nottinghamshire – is providing a grant of £1.65m from its Local Growth Fund allocation. The Council is providing £250,000.
The project has received thumbs up from a range of interest parties including the business community, Derby Cycling Group and accessibility advocates.
Councillor Martin Rawson, Derby City Council Deputy Leader, who has responsibility for city centre regeneration, said: “I am eagerly looking forward to this work as it will bring a much needed environmental face lift to the heart of the city.”
Peter Richardson, Chair of the D2N2 LEP, added: “A vibrant and strong city centre is crucial to an area’s economy; to attract new investors and retailers, and create jobs. This is why we’ve worked closely with Derby City Council on this ‘Placemaking’ project and are investing significantly in it.”
Helen Wathall, Board Chair of St Peters Quarter Derby Ltd, which drives forward initiatives under the area’s Business Improvement District (BID) status said: “Since local businesses voted to adopt the five-year business plan for improving this key area of the city centre, we have been supporting and encouraging plans to improve the public realm in St Peters Street, Albion Street, Exchange Street which are busy streets in the heart of the BID area.
“The project mirrors two of our key aims; to make the area smart and attractive, and create an enjoyable and easily accessible place for visitors, workers and residents.”
The larger £1.9m public realm refurbishment will include phases affecting Albion Street, Exchange Street and Osnabrück Square; in 2018 and 2019.
A Traffic Regulation Order is required to permit cycle access in St Peters Street. Statutory consultation is scheduled to start this month (September) followed by public consultation in November.
Media wishing to know more about the Derby City Council project should contact the Council Press Office on 01332 643500 or email: press.office@derby.gov.uk
For further information on the work of the D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership contact Sean Kirby, D2N2 Communications Manager, on 0115 957 8749 or email: sean.kirby@d2n2lep.org
