City footbridge is closed off for ‘essential maintenance’
BUSINESSES NEARBY SAY DARLEY ABBEY MILLS HAS BEEN ‘QUIETER’ RECENTLY
A TEMPORARY footbridge has been closed so “essential maintenance” can be carried out.
Works have been taking place at Walter’s Walkway at Old Lane, Darley Abbey. This is the “emergency” bridge which was put in place in October 2022
The bridge closure is expected to last until tomorrow, council officers told the Derby Telegraph.
The bridge connects the village part of Darley Abbey to the famous Darley Abbey Mills where several businesses are based including gyms, restaurants, accountants and mechanics. The council said works are taking place to improve access for users.
A spokesperson for Derby City Council said: “The work is to reset the ramps on the approach to the interim bridge which will improve access to the Midland Canoe Club. While the access is closed, we will also repair any loose or defective boards.
“Works are progressing well. (They) should be completed by 5pm, Friday 10 May.”
In an official notice about the works, seen on social media, the council said it apologies for any inconvenience the closure may cause.
Anthony Attwood from Patterns Derby, which is based at Darley Abbey Mills, said the bridge closure had not caused “major” inconvenience but said he noticed the area had been quieter during the last few days with people unable to walk through.
This is not the first time work has been carried out on or near the bridge this calendar year.
In January, work took place to clear debris next to the temporary bridge after trees, household waste and other items had been piling up against the bridge – prompting fury among local councillors and Derby North MP Amanda Solloway.
The temporary bridge was put in place after the original bridge was declared unsafe following an inspection by council officers in May 2022.
The temporary bridge is likely to be in place for the next four years after leading councillors agreed to fund the temporary bridge for the short-tomedium term in September last year.
Meetings and talks are continuing to happen about a permanent bridge being set up and how it could be funded.
At a previous meeting council officers said a permanent structure could cost between £7million and £8m.