Updated: July 2024
Work finally finished!
We’re very pleased to see that, after many years of discussions and involving many organisations (including DCG) the shortcomings of the Riverside Path have been addressed and the route is now an excellent, 3m wide (in most places), tarmac, barrier free route between the city centre and Borrowash.
Recently the last portion of the 3km upgrade from crushed stone to excellent quality tarmac was completed. Well done to Derby City Council (and their contractors) for completing this work which was also supported by Sustrans.
Background
The Riverside path runs from Derby city centre along the south side of the River Derwent to Borrowash. It forms part of:
- National Cycle Network route 6
- The Derwent Valley Heritage Way walking route (running from Ladybower to Shardlow)
- The Derwent Valley Cycleway proposed to run from Hathersage to Shardlow
The route has always been popular, linking Derby City Centre with Elvaston Castle and onwards towards Long Eaton and Nottingham. The western part of the route (between the city centre and Raynesway refuse tip) is a generally excellent tarmac surface and is, in most places, 3m wide.
However, eastwards of the Raynesway tip, the surface consisted of crushed stone and, over the years, this had degraded unsatisfactorily. The route was covered by puddles. Using the route after wet weather ensured that cycles (and cyclists) were covered in filth.
The surface damage was made worse as the River Derwent periodically floods. The river flow over the surface of the path had scoured out the surface and the underlying path foundations. Various unsatisfactory repairs (laying more stone and lightly rolling it) were made over the years but these only lasted until the next flood event. It was clear that a sealed surface (e.g. tarmac), which can withstand a water flow, was needed.
Goodman (the owners of the nearby logistic park) were responsible for the worst section of the path and made annual attempts to fix the worst of the flooding but never addressed the fundamental problem that a sealed surface was needed.
Various organisations have discussed the issues with Derby City Council and the slow rate of progress in addressing the problems (mostly a zero rate of progress!) was frustrating. I recall meeting with the Council and Sustrans back in 2018 to discuss the issues but without effective resolution. However, with the recent completion of excellent quality improvements, it shows these discussions were worthwhile. While frustrating that campaigning often seems to have little effect, it is gratifying to think that the “drip, drip, drip” and ongoing discussions with DCG and other bodies eventually resulted in the City Council desire and funding to address the issues.
Improvements
As well as creating a very smooth 3m wide route, the work has also resulted in removing the barrier at the Borrowash end of the route which restricted access to certain people on non-conventional bikes (e.g. trailers) or those with some disabilities. Access is now through a gap with a well spaced bollard. These improvements also open up the route to mobility scooters and similar.
Comments
With every bit of work there are always things still to do or that could have been done differently. However, overall, those of us at the DCG (and others from the feedback we’ve heard) are very pleased with the results.
There has been some criticism that the tarmac surface will be slippery in times of frost and ice but this equally applies to every tarmac road, cycle path and pavement in the city so is just a reminder for users to be careful in inclement weather. The Council should be encouraged to maintain key cycle routes in the same way as they maintain key roads (e.g. by gritting).
The link from the Riverside path to Elvaston Castle remains as crushed stone and, in one place in particular, there is flood damage that needs addressing and which has been reported.
There are no barriers throughout the whole route between Derby City centre and Borrowash but there remain some restrictions (e.g. tight turns, slopes) which may cause issues to some users. There are a few barriers remaining on link routes to the path (e.g. at the link to Raynesway Park Drive near the Blue Jay island).
Overall an excellent job has been done. We’re pleased to see the improvements (after many years of frustrations!) and look forward to further improvements across the Derby area (we’re not short of ideas as to where they should be!).
Well done Derby City Council and Sustrans.