We’re pleased to see improvements in progress to the Mickleover Greenway (NCN 549) near Etwall. I believe this work is being done under the management of the Derbyshire Countryside Service (part of Derbyshire County Council).
So far, the barriers at Egginton Junction have been removed and the route has been resurfaced. We’re also pleased to see that the recent flooding problems at this site seem to have been solved.
At the very southern end of the Mickleover Greenway where the route emerges onto the old railway bridge on Egginton Road.
The access to the track from Old Station Close which previously had a very tight A frame and a horse step has been opened up. This is currently the workman’s site and work is still in progress but it appears that all barriers have been removed and the surface improved.
The barriers just south of the underpass under the A516 (near to the Tara Buddhist Centre) have been removed. Previously the horse step had rotted and been removed so most greenway users could use the gap. However, the whole range of barriers – large gate, remains of the horse step and A frame – have now been removed.
Now a wide open area where previously there was a full range of barriers.
I understand that there is a programme (involving Sustrans and the Derbyshire Countryside Service) to remove all the barriers on the Mickleover Greenway and, hopefully, most of those on the access links to nearby estates. The work in progress and shown above is not directly related to the barrier removal programme although will obviously have an impact as barriers will be removed at sites on the NCN549 as resurfacing is done.
The awkward gates on the Greenway have previously been removed (well, fastened back). The most awkward barrier that it is essential to remove remains the one at Mickleover Station – hopefully this is addressed soon.
Well done to Derbyshire Countryside Services