Work starts to improve accessibility and boost active travel on two Derby streets
Published: 15 September 2023
Artist impression of Albert Street
Victoria Street, Albert Street and Corporation Street are the next of Derby’s roads to receive an upgrade courtesy of the Transforming Cities Fund, with work set to start on Monday 18 September until autumn 2024.
The planned improvements will enhance the appearance of the local area, allow for more sustainable transport options, and reduce congestion and pollution in the city centre.
Much like the works around Babington Lane and St Peter’s Street, making active travel easier is a key part of this scheme. Wider footways, improved cycleways, and more cycle stands will be introduced, as well as new paving which will make the streets more coordinated.
Visitors to the area will also see more greenery and clearer streets, with new planting areas to be introduced and the removal of unnecessary street furniture.
Improved accessibility and greater active travel choices will make it easier to travel between Derby’s two Business Improvement Districts - St Peter’s Quarter and Cathedral Quarter.
The one-way system from the bus station to the Wardwick, a temporary measure introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic, will also be made permanent to further reduce congestion. In addition to this, bus waiting areas and streetlights will be improved to make the area safer and more comfortable for passengers and pedestrians.
Resurfacing works will take place during evenings and weekends, keeping road closures and disruption to a minimum. Information about this and any necessary diversions will be given in advance through on-street signage.
These works are part of Nottingham and Derby’s Transforming Cities programme and delivered by Eurovia on behalf of Derby City Council.
The works are funded by the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund. Working in partnership, Nottingham City and Derby City Councils secured £161 million to invest in local transport infrastructure that will improve sustainable transport, support growth, and encourage more low carbon journeys.
Councillor Carmel Swan, Cabinet Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainability, said,
I’m pleased to see work beginning on these streets and look forward to seeing things progress over the coming months.
It’s more important than ever that we encourage sustainable and active transport in the city. These improvements are just a part of a wider range of changes we’re making around the city to encourage more active travel.
There is more to come from the Transforming Cities Scheme, as we continue to look at opportunities to improve the look and feel of our city and deliver better transport choices.