New bridges plan for brook
TWO new footbridges are planned for public use over a section of Markeaton Brook, flowing alongside Sturgess Fields in Derby.
One of the bridges will be a replacement and the other a new footbridge on the site of an existing temporary plank bridge installed by the public, leading from the footpath between Markeaton Street and Kedleston Road.
Either side of the tributary are two areas of semiimproved grassland where people walk and exercise their dogs.
The land is owned by the University of Derby and an application for planning permission has been submitted by the university to Derby City Council to carry out the work.
The existing permanent bridge which is to be replaced has a wrought iron railing and is covered in earth. It is proposed to locate the timber replacement bridge, measuring six metres by 1.2 metres, in exactly the same place.
The proposed new bridge would be constructed five metres away from the current temporary structure following on from the results of an ecology report on the area.
The report recommended that “ideally, the proposed location of the new bridge should be re-sited approximately 5m north-east to avoid impacting the root systems of the mature oak and the mature willow” The design and impact statement supplied with the application says: “Access to the site will not be altered as part of these works.
“The landowner is proposing to install the new bridge to allow suitable means for residents and member of the public to safely traverse the Markeaton Brook, this is a considerable improvement to the existing structure that is in situ.”
The application will be dealt with by the council’s planning department in the next eight-to-12 weeks.