Bridge closure sparks concern that businesses will lose trade
CONCERNS have been raised after a toll bridge that allows access to Darley Abbey Mills was yesterday blocked off to cyclists, pedestrians and traffic.
The bridge which offers visitors from Darley Park access to the site’s cafés, restaurants and offices has been closed by Derby City Council, who say it is dangerous and at risk of collapsing.
The bridge links a popular walking route for residents in the area through Darley Park and the Darley playing fields. It also provides a route for cars between Alfreton Road and Darley Abbey village and the A6 Duffield Road.
When we visited yesterday, it seemed that many residents had not realised that the bridge was closing. A sign on Old Lane in Darley Abbey reads: “No pedestrian access or cycle access to Darley Mills”.
Cyclist Kevin Young, who uses the route several times a week, said: “We often walk here every Sunday. We walk from town along here and walk back to have some lunch and a beer in town.
“I love standing on the bridge and taking photos of the weir. I am really upset that they have closed it. It’s a shame.”
Robert Ellis, the director for Darleys restaurant located in Darley Abbey Mills, is also worried about the closure.
He said: “We know that there are checks being made to see how dangerous it is over the next few weeks, but we are as much in the dark as anyone else – we only found out about it the other day.
“I think people not knowing how to get around the back is possibly going to be a problem, and the signage I don’t feel is very good because on the Duffield Road side it just says that Darley Abbey Mills in not accessible, but it doesn’t say much more than that.”
An alternative route to Darley Abbey Mills for pedestrians and cyclists is to cross the River Derwent at Handyside Bridge, at the opposite end of Darley Park.
Motorists finding themselves on the Old Lane side of Darley Abbey, across the river from Darleys, have two options. They can either take the A38 then turn right at Little Eaton roundabout to get onto Alfreton Road and then Haslams Lane, or head into town down Duffield Road, cross the Derwent at St Mary’s Bridge, then turn left onto Mansfield Road, then Alfreton Road then Haslams Lane – the only way to access Darley Abbey Mills in a car.
One local resident said: “It is going to hit places like Darleys, the Cottonworks and the Darley Abbey wine bar quite hard because part of their trade will come via Darley Park and Darley Abbey village.
“There are many hundreds of locals who are now unable to get to Darley Abbey Mills on foot.
“Those visiting Darley Park won’t be able to get across the river for a coffee, and people who used to walk to work from the village to the offices at Darley Abbey Mills will now have to drive the long way around.”
Following an inspection of the bridge, structural engineers found that it was in a weak and dangerous condition, partly due to recent flooding.
Derby City Council has said: “Following a recent inspection of Darley Abbey Toll Bridge, Derby City Council can confirm that it will be exercising its emergency powers and putting measures into place on Old Lane, at the Darley Abbey entrance to prevent pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles from accessing the bridge. This is due to a risk of the bridge collapsing, giving rise to serious public safety concerns.
“Due to the bridge not being a council-owned structure, we will be liaising with the landowners and strongly advising them to install measures to prevent access to the bridge at the other end of the site, and to carry out further detailed inspections.
“No access to the bridge will be permitted from 6.30am on Friday, May 13, for the foreseeable future.”
I think people not knowing how to get around the back is possibly going to be a problem. Robert Ellis