9 weeks of work starts on creating new cycle route

THE second stage of a £500,000 cycle path improvement scheme has started in Derby.

The work, which is expected to take nine weeks to complete, will see the further development of a cycle path which is being created on the grass verge between Chequers Road and the A52.

Once finished, the path will link the existing pedestrian and cycle path at Pentagon Island and the existing cycle path adjacent to the Costco store in Wyvern Way.

To accommodate the path, a number of trees will be removed.

Street lighting will also be moved on the southern side of Chequers Road and two large A52 signs will be relocated. Part of Chequers Road will be down to one lane while work takes place, with traffic lights in operation.

The project, which started in September last year, is designed to enable cyclists to ride safely between the city centre, the Wyvern retail park, the new footbridge over the A52 and Pride Park. It forms part of the city council’s £161 million joint bid with Nottingham City Council to the Department of Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund, which is aimed at improving connections between major employment sites and promoting active travel and public transport. Councillor Matthew Holmes, deputy council leader, said: “A key part of our successful bid was the expansion of sustainable travel options, and I am delighted that work is starting on extending our network of cycle lanes, and improving the environment to further encourage more people to stay active and cycle and walk around out city.”

Phase three of the scheme will begin later this year.