Deforestation Derby

Regular users of the Nation Cycle Network route 54 cycleway between Pektron Island (Alfreton Road) and Little Eaton Island on the A38 will be thoroughly relieved with recent maintenance works.

The shared-use path runs alongside the fast and busy road and is the principal active travel link between Derby and Little Eaton.

In some places, the route was almost completely immersed in vegetation making an already hazardous route even more dangerous

NCN 54 alongside the A61 looking towards Little Eaton Island

Over the course of a few evening road closures, the “forest” of overgrowth on the cycleway has been cut back….not just a light trim either – Quite a transformation!

This unnecessarily overly-dramatic video shows the cycleway before and after the clearance works. Sad scenes at the start.

Like the parting of the Red Sea….

And a couple of decent photos of the aftermath shamelessly stolen borrowed from one of our committee members, Ian.

Looking south from Little Eaton Island – The narrow bit.
Also looking south from Little Eaton Island – The barriered section.

The route crosses both Derby and Derbyshire council’s jurisdictions. Members were encouraged to get in contact with Derbyshire County Council to give them a gentle prod. However, with the road being a major artery, which no doubt involved National Highways too, we believe these works were pre-programmed cyclical maintenance.

It’s been highlighted to us that NCN 54 route north of the A38 heading into Little Eaton is suffering too, so if you do wish to report it then follow the links on the Derbyshire CC website:

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